a literary character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a literary character" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a character that appears in a work of literature, such as a novel, play, or poem. Example: "Sherlock Holmes is a literary character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, known for his keen observation and deductive reasoning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

I saw myself as a literary character.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He has the implausibly vivid qualities of a literary character.

The New Yorker

"To what extent is he also a literary character?" Mr. Domoslawski asks.

The New York Times

For him, Jesus is a "literary character" who also happens to be God incarnate.

The New Yorker

It assumed a presence, like that of a literary character — dreamed up yet very real.

The New York Times

You can easily imagine Adams as a literary character; less so in pixels.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The private detective is of course a peculiarly literary character, a finder-out of stories but a mere observer.

The Guardian - Books

She was a variation on a timeless literary character, the young female making her way in the big city, on her own financially and forced to rely her wits.

The New York Times

The Cut photographed and interviewed five acclaimed women authors, each embodying a favorite literary character, in a piece on "literary heroines" appearing in the Nov. 16 issue of the magazine.

Huffington Post

In kindergarten, the homework assignments were fun projects like decorating a pumpkin at Halloween based on a favorite literary character, or presenting 100 items in a creative way to commemorate the 100th Day of School.

HuffPost

Malapropisms are reasonably famous (or infamous), but what is less well known is that a malapropism is alternatively known as a "Dogberryism," after an earlier literary character with this characteristic: namely, Dogberry, the chief of police in Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing and the one who (inadvertently) manages to resolve the confusion generated by villain Don John's evil scheme.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing character development, use "a literary character" to emphasize the crafted nature of individuals within a story. For example, "The author meticulously developed the protagonist as a complex literary character."

Common error

Avoid attributing real-world motivations or actions to "a literary character" as if they were actual individuals. Remember, they are constructs within a fictional narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a literary character" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of character that exists within the realm of literature. As Ludwig points out, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Books

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a literary character" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to denote a fictional person or entity within a work of literature. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a correct and valid expression. Predominantly found in news, media and book contexts, it serves to identify and analyze figures in stories, with a neutral to formal register. For alternative phrasing, consider "a fictional persona" or "a character in fiction". Avoid confusing "a literary character" with real people, as they are constructs for narrative purposes. The term is most effective when analyzing character development and their role within a story.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fictional persona

Focuses on the fictional and constructed aspect of the character.

a character in fiction

Directly states the character's existence within a fictional work.

a book character

Directly refers to a character found within a book.

a figure from literature

Emphasizes the character's origin and presence in literary works.

an imaginary character

Highlights the character's imaginative and non-real nature.

a narrative character

Focuses on the character's function within the overall narrative.

a protagonist

Specifies the character as the main figure in a narrative.

an antagonist

Specifies the character as the opposing figure in a narrative.

a symbolic character

Emphasizes the character's role in representing broader themes or ideas.

a dramatic persona

Highlights the character's role in a dramatic performance or play.

FAQs

How can I use "a literary character" in a sentence?

You can use "a literary character" to describe someone from a book, play, or poem. For example, "Hamlet is a complex "literary character" known for his indecision".

What's the difference between "a literary character" and a real person?

The primary difference is that "a literary character" is a fictional creation within a story, while a real person exists in the real world. Fictional characters are constructed with specific purposes and narrative functions in mind.

What are some common traits of "a literary character"?

Common traits include having a defined role in the story, undergoing development or change, and possessing motivations that drive the plot. Their actions serve the narrative's themes and messages.

Can historical figures be considered "a literary character"?

Yes, historical figures can be portrayed as "a literary character" when they are written about in fictional works. In such cases, their portrayal is shaped by the author's interpretation and the narrative's demands, potentially differing from historical accuracy.