What does it mean to characterize a protagonist?

Characterizing a protagonist involves detailing their traits, motivations, and development throughout the story. This encompasses understanding who the character is at their core, what drives their decisions, how they change over time, and the complexities that make them relatable or compelling.

By focusing on a protagonist's traits, one can explore their personality, strengths, weaknesses, and values, which can provide insight into their actions and choices. Additionally, examining their motivations helps readers to understand what compels the character to behave in certain ways, thus shedding light on their overall journey within the narrative.

Development is also crucial, as characters often evolve over the course of a story, making their growth or transformation a central focus for analysis. Recognizing these aspects brings depth to the understanding of the character and the story as a whole, allowing readers to connect more intimately with the narrative and its themes.