What are Characters? Understanding the Lead and Supporting Roles in a Story

Do you love stories? I know the answer is a big yes! Just imagine a story with no people, animals, or anyone to act. Do you think it's interesting? No, it is not interesting, as characters make stories interesting. Come, let’s learn what characters are

Table of Contents 

• What Are Characters?
• How to Identify the Main Characters in a Story?
• Exercises on Characters for Class 4

What Are Characters?

Characters are the people or animals in a story. Characters can be grouped into main characters and supporting characters. The main character is the central character around whom the story revolves. Supporting characters are the characters that support the main character. Poems and stories describe characters’ emotions, actions, thoughts, and feelings.

How to Identify the Main Characters in a Story?

Now, we know who the main character in the story is. Finding the main character in a story is like finding the star of the story. Let’s learn how to do it step by step:

• Look for who appears the most: The main character is usually seen again and again in the story.

• Check who the story is about: Ask yourself: Who is the story mostly talking about? That person or animal is often the main character.

• Notice who has the biggest problem: The main character usually faces a problem and tries to solve it.

• See who changes or learns something: By the end of the story, the main character often learns a lesson or changes.

Let’s understand this with an example from the story of Cinderella. The main character is the person the story is mostly about.

• In Cinderella, the main character is Cinderella.
  The story focuses on her life.

• She faces problems (being treated badly by her stepfamily).

• She goes to the ball and her life changes.

• So, Cinderella is the star of the story

• Supporting Characters in Cinderella: In Cinderella, the supporting characters are:

• Stepmother: Treats Cinderella badly

• Stepsisters: Tease and trouble her

• Fairy Godmother: Helps her go to the ball

• Prince: Meets Cinderella and changes her life

 

Exercises on Characters for Class 4

Exercise 1: Read the story and answer the questions

Leo, the lion, was the king of the jungle. The animals of the jungle were afraid of him and never came near him. Once, after having a tasty afternoon meal, he decided to take a nap under the tree. Zzzzzz! Zzzzzz! His nose moved up and down as he snored. Monty, the mouse, saw this. He decided to play with Leo. Not only did he start to run around on Leo, but he also poked a leaf in his nose. Leo was disturbed from his sleep. His eyes were red. He caught Monty with one hand and roared at him. Monty looked straight into Leo's eyes and said, "O mighty King! Don't you ever play with anyone? I always wanted to play with you, but couldn't do it when you were awake. So, I played with you when you were asleep." Leo was amused by Monty's answer.

1. Which adjective describes Monty the best?

1. Playful

2. Angry

3. Scared

4. Upset

2. How did Leo feel when Monty disturbed his sleep?

1. Shameful 

2. Angry 

3. Joyful 

4. Sad

3. Which of the following is most LIKELY the difference between Leo and Monty?

1. Leo is lazy and sleepy, but Monty is active and angry.

2. Leo is big and powerful, whereas Monty is small and naughty.

3. Leo is big and playful, whereas Monty is small and scared.

4. Leo is powerful and playful, and Monty is powerless and playful.

4. Why did Monty decide to play with Leo?

• He wanted to make Leo angry.

• He was bored and had nothing to do.

• He always wanted to play with Leo, but couldn’t when he was awake.

• He wanted to wake Leo up quickly.

5. How did Leo react after hearing Monty’s explanation?

1. He became angrier.

2. He laughed and felt amused.

3. He chased Monty away.

4. He went back to sleep immediately.

Answers: 

1. Playful

2. Angry 

3. Leo is big and powerful, whereas Monty is small and naughty.

4. He always wanted to play with Leo, but couldn’t when he was awake.

5. He laughed and felt amused.

 

Exercise 2: Read the story and answer the questions.

Seven-year-old Dido lived with her mother in a small house. Her mother worked in a factory nearby. Every day, Dido would go to school with other children. At school, she would study and play with her friends. One day, her mother told her that she would not be going to school anymore. Dido's evergreen smile disappeared from her face. "Why can I not go to school?" she wondered. She missed the clanging of the bell, the teacher's pat on her back and the other children's unending talk. She missed her school friends the most.

1. Write the characters in the space below.
   Main character: ............................................................
   Other characters: ...........................................................

2. Based on the story, which statement describes Dido best?

1. Dido did not like to go to school.

2. Dido liked to play with her friends.

3. Dido enjoyed going to school.

4. Dido cared for her mother.

3. Where did Dido live?

1. In a big city

2. In a small house

3. In a school

4. In a park

4. How did Dido feel when she was told she could not go to school?

1. Happy

2. Excited

3. Sad

4. Angry

Answers: 

1. Main character: Dido
   Other characters: Her mother, her friends, her teacher

2. Dido enjoyed going to school.

3. In a small house

4. Sad