How to Analyze a Character in English Class
A Step-by-Step Guide for Grades 9–10 (US ELA)
This article is linked to the main page on ELA in US high schools which is: https://englishmadesimple.org/english-in-us-high-schools-ela/, or click on link here.
Character analysis is one of the most important skills you learn in high school English, also called ELA (English Language Arts). Whether you are reading a short story, novel, or play, teachers often ask questions like:
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“Analyze how the character changes.”
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“What do the character’s actions reveal?”
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“How does the character contribute to the theme?”
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“Explain the significance of this character.”
Many students understand the character but struggle to explain that understanding in writing. This guide will show you how to analyze a character step by step, using clear strategies and example paragraphs from famous texts studied in US high schools.
What Does It Mean to Analyze a Character?
To analyze a character means to explain:
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What kind of person the character is
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Why the character behaves the way they do
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How the character changes (or doesn’t change)
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What the character reveals about the theme or message of the text
Character analysis is not:
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A list of traits
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A summary of what the character does
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A personal opinion with no evidence
Good character analysis uses evidence from the text and explains why that evidence matters.
As mentioned before to analyze a character means to go beyond naming traits or retelling events and instead explain how and why a character is constructed the way they are. Strong character analysis explores what kind of person the character is, why they behave the way they do, how they change (or fail to change) over the course of the text, and what they reveal about the theme or message the author is communicating.
For example, in Of Mice and Men, George is not simply “protective” or “angry.” An analytical response explains how his frustration and loyalty coexist, showing the emotional burden of caring for someone vulnerable in a harsh world. His final decision regarding Lennie reveals Steinbeck’s ideas about mercy, responsibility, and survival.
Similarly, in To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout’s character development is central to the novel’s message. An analysis would explain how her gradual growth in empathy reflects the theme that understanding others is essential to moral maturity. Her changing perspective helps readers recognize the difference between innocence and prejudice.
Character analysis is not a list of traits, a plot summary, or a personal opinion with no evidence. Good character analysis uses specific moments, dialogue, and actions from the text and clearly explains why they matter.
Why Character Analysis Matters in High School English
Teachers focus on character analysis because it shows:
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Reading comprehension
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Critical thinking
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Ability to use evidence
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Understanding of theme
Character analysis appears in:
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Literary analysis essays
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Short-answer questions
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Reading quizzes
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Class discussions
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Timed writing tasks
Once you understand character analysis, most English assignments become easier.
Teachers focus on character analysis because it clearly demonstrates several essential ELA skills at once. When you analyze a character well, you show reading comprehension by accurately understanding the text, critical thinking by explaining why the character behaves a certain way, and the ability to use evidence by supporting your ideas with specific moments from the story. Strong character analysis also shows a clear understanding of theme, since characters are often the main way authors communicate messages about society or human nature.
For example, in The Great Gatsby, analyzing Jay Gatsby involves more than describing him as “rich” or “obsessive.” A high-level analysis explains how Gatsby’s fixation on Daisy represents the illusion of the American Dream. His refusal to accept reality and his belief that the past can be recreated help Fitzgerald criticize materialism and false idealism in 1920s America. By connecting Gatsby’s character traits to the novel’s larger message, students demonstrate deeper understanding.
Character analysis appears across many types of assignments, including literary analysis essays, short-answer questions, reading quizzes, class discussions, and timed writing tasks. Once you understand how to analyze characters effectively, most English assignments become clearer, more manageable, and easier to succeed in.
The Big Idea Behind Character Analysis
At its core, character analysis answers this question:
What does this character show us about people or life?
Authors use characters to communicate ideas about:
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Identity
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Morality
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Power
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Fear
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Responsibility
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Growth
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Society
Your job is to explain how the character reveals those ideas.
Step-by-Step: How to Analyze a Character
Step 1: Identify the Character’s Role in the Story
Start by asking:
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Is this the main character or a supporting character?
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Does the story focus on their thoughts and choices?
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Do major events revolve around them?
Main characters are usually analyzed in more depth, but supporting characters can still be important—especially if they contrast with the main character.
Step 2: Identify Key Character Traits (With Evidence)
A character trait describes a person’s personality, values, or behavior.
Examples of traits:
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Honest
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Selfish
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Compassionate
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Ambitious
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Fearful
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Confident
Important Rule:
You must prove traits with evidence.
❌ “The character is brave.”
✅ “The character shows bravery when she stands up for someone despite the risk of punishment.”
Step 3: Understand the Character’s Motivation
Motivation explains why a character behaves a certain way.
Ask:
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What does the character want?
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What are they afraid of?
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What goal drives their decisions?
Understanding motivation helps you avoid shallow analysis.
Step 4: Analyze Character Change (Dynamic vs Static)
Dynamic Characters
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Change in an important way
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Learn a lesson
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Gain awareness
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Make a new choice
Static Characters
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Stay mostly the same
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Refuse to change
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Reinforce a theme through their lack of growth
Both types can be meaningful.
Step 5: Look at Key Decisions and Turning Points
Strong character analysis focuses on choices, especially:
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Difficult decisions
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Moral dilemmas
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Turning points near the climax
Ask:
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What choice defines the character?
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What does that choice reveal?
Strong character analysis focuses on choices, especially moments when a character is forced to decide under pressure. These decisions often reveal a character’s true values more clearly than their everyday actions. Pay close attention to difficult decisions, moral dilemmas, and turning points near the climax, because these moments usually shape the meaning of the entire text.
When analyzing these moments, ask yourself:
What choice defines the character? What does that choice reveal about who they really are?
For example, in Of Mice and Men, the most important turning point occurs when George decides to shoot Lennie himself. This choice is a moral dilemma: George must choose between protecting his friend from a brutal death or allowing Lennie to face violent punishment from others. An analytical response explains that this decision reveals George’s deep sense of responsibility and compassion, even though it causes him immense pain. Steinbeck uses this moment to reinforce themes of mercy, friendship, and the harsh realities faced by powerless individuals.
Focusing on key decisions like this helps move analysis beyond summary. It shows how characters are defined not just by what happens to them, but by how they choose to act when it matters most.
Step 6: Connect the Character to the Theme
This is where analysis becomes strong.
Ask:
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What does this character show about life or people?
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How does their experience support the theme?
Characters exist to communicate ideas, not just to move the plot forward.
Step 7: Use Quotes Correctly
Quotes are evidence—not analysis.
A strong character paragraph:
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Introduces the quote
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Includes the quote
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Explains what it shows about the character
Never drop a quote without explanation.
How to Structure a Character Analysis Paragraph
Most teachers expect a structure like this:
Claim → Evidence → Explanation → Theme Connection
Basic Character Paragraph Template
The author presents [character] as [trait]. This is shown when [context], and the text states, “[quote].” This reveals that [explanation of trait/motivation], which connects to the theme of [theme] because [why it matters].
You don’t need to follow this exactly, but this structure helps you stay focused.
Example Character Analysis Paragraphs
From Famous US High School Texts
The examples below show what strong Grade 9–10 character analysis looks like. These are not summaries—they explain meaning.
Example 1: Atticus Finch
To Kill a Mockingbird
Focus: Moral integrity and justice
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is presented as a man of strong moral integrity. This is shown through his decision to defend Tom Robinson despite knowing the case will likely be lost. Atticus explains to his children that he must take the case in order to live with himself, which reveals that his actions are guided by personal ethics rather than public opinion. This demonstrates that Atticus values justice over acceptance, supporting the theme that standing up for what is right often requires courage in the face of social pressure.
Why this works:
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Clear trait (moral integrity)
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Specific evidence
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Explanation of motivation
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Connection to theme
Example 2: Scout Finch
To Kill a Mockingbird
Focus: Growth and perspective
Scout Finch develops from a naive child into a more understanding individual over the course of the novel. At the beginning, Scout views the world in simple terms of right and wrong, but her experiences during the trial force her to confront injustice. By the end of the novel, Scout recognizes the importance of empathy, particularly when she learns to see situations from others’ perspectives. This change shows how personal growth often comes from difficult experiences, reinforcing the novel’s theme of empathy and moral awareness.
Example 3: George Milton
Of Mice and Men
Focus: Responsibility and sacrifice
George Milton is portrayed as a responsible yet conflicted character. Although he often complains about caring for Lennie, George consistently protects him and makes decisions in his best interest. This conflict becomes clear when George chooses to end Lennie’s life himself rather than allow him to suffer. This decision reveals that George’s sense of responsibility is rooted in compassion, supporting the theme that love and loyalty sometimes require painful sacrifices.
Example 4: Lennie Small
Of Mice and Men
Focus: Innocence and vulnerability
Lennie Small represents innocence and vulnerability in a harsh world. His childlike understanding prevents him from recognizing the consequences of his actions, which repeatedly leads to trouble. Lennie’s inability to control his strength highlights how innocence can become dangerous when paired with power. Through Lennie’s character, the novel suggests that society often fails to protect its most vulnerable members.
Example 5: Jay Gatsby
The Great Gatsby
Focus: Idealism and illusion
Jay Gatsby is characterized by his intense idealism and belief in the American Dream. His obsession with Daisy drives nearly every decision he makes, revealing his refusal to accept reality. Gatsby’s belief that the past can be repeated shows how his dreams are rooted in illusion rather than truth. This character trait supports the theme that blind idealism can lead to self-destruction when it ignores reality.
Example 6: Ponyboy Curtis
The Outsiders
Focus: Identity and belonging
Ponyboy Curtis struggles to understand his identity in a world divided by social class. Throughout the novel, Ponyboy questions the labels placed on him and begins to see that people are more complex than their group identities. His growing awareness shows that empathy can bridge social divides, reinforcing the theme that understanding others requires looking beyond stereotypes.
Common Mistakes in Character Analysis (And How to Fix Them)
Mistake 1: Listing traits without explanation
Fix: Explain why the trait matters.
Mistake 2: Summarizing the plot
Fix: Focus on meaning, not events.
Mistake 3: Using quotes without explanation
Fix: Always explain what the quote shows.
Mistake 4: Ignoring theme
Fix: Connect the character to the text’s message.
Character Analysis for Essays vs Tests
On Tests:
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Make one clear claim
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Use one strong quote
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Explain it clearly
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Connect to theme
In Essays:
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Thesis connects character to theme
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Each paragraph focuses on one trait or change
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Evidence + explanation in every paragraph
Final Tips for Grade 9–10 Students
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Traits must be proven
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Motivation matters
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Choices reveal character
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Change is important (or meaningful lack of change)
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Characters exist to show ideas
Conclusion: Character Analysis Is a Skill You Can Learn
Learning how to analyze a character in English class is not about memorizing traits or sounding impressive. It is about explaining what a character reveals about life, people, or society, using clear evidence and thoughtful explanation.
Once you master character analysis, you will:
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Write stronger essays
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Understand texts more deeply
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Feel more confident in English class
Remember:
If you can explain what a character does, why they do it, and what it shows, you are analyzing—not summarizing.