The elements of literature are the common structural elements that should be included in every story. The elements of literature are Characters, Setting, Narrator, Perspective/Point of view, Plot, Conflict/Problem, Mood, and Theme. Good writers make sure each element is included in the stories that they write to make them interesting and understandable. Good readers learn to recognize each of the elements to understand the meaning or the moral of the story. These elements create the foundation of good stories and if they are missing, the story will feel incomplete and unsatisfying. It will not be very entertaining for the readers.
Characters
The characters in a story are those individuals who are included in the story. Characters are usually people, but they can also be animals, objects, and talking animals and talking objects. Characters can be based upon real people, or they can be created by the writer or the author of the story. For example, non-fiction stories usually include real characters, whereas fiction stories include characters created by the author. Authors usually provide information about the character’s identity and personality in the story. They may also give details about how the characters relate to one another. Depending on how long the story is, the author may give some background information about the characters and give the readers insight into how they think and the things that interest them. This can help the readers to understand the conflict in the story and how it involves each of the characters.
Animated cartoon characters are identified by name, species, personality traits, language, and clothing. For some, the character’s name may include his/her species (i.e. Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Felix the Cat). For others, the name gives an indication of his/her appearance (i.e. Snow White, Tigger, Popeye the Sailor Man, Fat Albert, and Bam Bam Rubble). The “accessories” that characters often use or carry with them are also considered a part of that character’s identity. For example, Bugs Bunny is often drawn holding a carrot. Elmer Fudd carries a shotgun. Jiminiy Chricket walks with a cane. A can of spinach is usually not far from Popeye the Sailor Man.
However, one of the most important characteristics for an animated character is the clothing that they wear, and more specifically, the colors of their articles of clothing. For example, Snow White is identified by the colors of her clothing.
Cinderella and Tiana are also identified by the colors of their dresses. Tiana wore more than one dress in the film but a Tiana in a red dress would be identified as a different character. The Tiana that is presented in the film The Princess and the Frog wears a green dress – not red.
Fred Flintstone is easily identified by the clothing that he wears, which is an orange and black toga with a blue tie. His wife Wilma can be identified as a woman who wears a white dress with a white beaded or rock necklace. Mickey and Minnie Mouse are known to wear many different clothing outfits, but they are usually drawn wearing white gloves. The same is true of other animated characters such as Bugs Bunny, Goofy, Woody Woodpecker, and Pinocchio.
Cats like Sylvester and Tom of Tom and Jerry have white paws, but they do not wear gloves. Aaron McGruder’s characters in The Boondocks do not have specific articles of clothing that make up their identities, but it can be argued that Huey and Riley Freeman’s hair styles are very much a part of who they are. The same can also be said of Marge Simpson’s blue beehive hairstyle.
Cartoon characters are also identifiable by the facial expressions they are known to make, how they speak and their signature phrases, what they do, and the activities in which they involve themselves. For example, Huey and Riley Freeman are often dramatically drawn with extremely angry facial expressions. Shaggy Rodgers in the Scooby Doo series is often drawn with a look of fear on his face. Garfield has a usual expression of sarcasm, mixed with boredom and irritation. Bugs Bunny is a bunny rabbit who walks upright like a human being and is usually drawn holding and eating a carrot. His signature phrase is “eh, what’s up doc?” Sylvester speaks with a lisp and is known to often say, “Suffering succotash!” Fat Albert’s signature phrase is, “Hey, hey, hey!” Fred Flintstone says, “Yabba dabba do!” Mickey and Minnie Mouse have really big feet.
Such information about well-known animated characters is important for artists who aspire to become animators. Often the path to stardom and notoriety for an animator begins by accepting a part-time position at a studio where an artist is needed to generate content that was created many years ago. In these situations, a new artist will be considered for the position such that he/she can draw, paint, color, and animate known characters. In time and as that new artist gains valuable experience, he/she may one day be able to creatively generate new content and new characters but until then, the ability to correctly produce what has already been done to go along with a new storyline is just what the doctor has ordered.
Have fun learning!
(Sources – Pinterest, The Walt Disney Company, Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia)