7.3 Relationships between characters and groups

Relationships Between Characters and Groups: A Deep Dive into Literary Analysis

Introduction

In literature, relationships between characters and groups serve as a crucial element that helps develop the plot, define character motivations, and provide deeper insight into societal dynamics. Whether it’s a protagonist’s ties to family, friendships, social structures, or identity groups, these relationships shape narratives in compelling ways. Understanding how characters interact with various groups and the forces that influence them can elevate literary analysis and enhance appreciation of a story’s thematic depth.

In this blog, we will explore the different types of groups characters can belong to, analyze their relationships within these groups, and examine how external and internal forces act upon them. This exploration will highlight the importance of relationships between characters and groups as a central aspect of storytelling.

Types of Groups in Literature

Characters belong to multiple groups that significantly influence their behaviors, decisions, and development. These groups may be biological, social, cultural, or self-defined. Let’s take a closer look at some major group categories and their impact on characters.

1. Family as a Foundational Group

Family relationships often serve as the most immediate and influential aspect of a character’s identity. Literature is filled with protagonists who either seek acceptance within their families or struggle against familial constraints. Some common dynamics include:

• Parental Influence: How do parental expectations shape a character’s ambitions? (e.g., Hamlet’s conflicted relationship with his father’s ghost in Hamlet).

• Sibling Rivalry: Are siblings allies or competitors? (e.g., Edmund and Edgar in King Lear).

• Generational Conflict: How do characters navigate tensions between tradition and modernity? (e.g., the generational gap in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe).

A character’s bond with their family—whether harmonious or strained—greatly influences their worldview and personal development.

2. Friendship Groups and Social Circles

Friendships in literature provide camaraderie, conflict, or even betrayal. These relationships can define a character’s sense of belonging or alienation.

• Supportive Friendships: Close friendships can serve as moral compasses or sources of strength (e.g., Samwise Gamgee’s loyalty to Frodo in The Lord of the Rings).

• Foil Friendships: Friends can act as foils, highlighting a protagonist’s strengths or weaknesses (e.g., Gatsby and Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby).

• Betrayal in Friendships: Sometimes, friendships dissolve due to conflicting interests (e.g., Brutus and Caesar in Julius Caesar).

Friend groups often mirror the emotional and intellectual conflicts of a narrative, making them vital components of character exploration.

3. Society as an Overarching Influence

The broader societal framework plays a crucial role in shaping characters and their arcs. A character’s social class, political environment, or cultural backdrop can either uplift or oppress them.

• Class Struggles: How does a character’s class status impact their interactions? (e.g., Pip’s journey in Great Expectations).

• Social Expectations: Do characters conform to or rebel against societal norms? (e.g., Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice).

• Oppression and Resistance: How do characters fight against unjust societal structures? (e.g., the handmaids in The Handmaid’s Tale).

By analyzing the societal pressures that shape a character, readers gain insight into the real-world implications of literature.

4. Identity-Based Groups

Characters are often defined by identity groups such as race, gender, nationality, or religion. These categories influence their experiences and shape their interactions.

• Gender Roles: How does gender impact a character’s choices? (e.g., Jane Eyre’s struggle for independence in Jane Eyre).

• Cultural Identity: How do characters navigate dual identities? (e.g., Gogol Ganguli in The Namesake).

• Racial and Ethnic Experiences: How does racial identity influence a character’s perception of the world? (e.g., Bigger Thomas in Native Son).

Understanding these identity-based affiliations allows readers to engage more deeply with character motivations and societal critiques.

Types of Forces Acting on Characters

Characters are shaped not just by the groups they belong to but also by various internal and external forces. These forces propel the narrative forward, often leading to conflict and transformation.

1. External Forces

External pressures stem from outside influences that dictate a character’s behavior and decisions.

• Cultural Expectations: Society’s norms can restrict or define a character’s fate (e.g., Hester Prynne’s ostracization in The Scarlet Letter).

• Economic Factors: Financial hardship or privilege can define a character’s path (e.g., Tom Joad’s struggles in The Grapes of Wrath).

• Historical Events: Wars, revolutions, or political upheavals shape characters (e.g., A Tale of Two Cities during the French Revolution).

These forces often create dramatic tension and serve as catalysts for character change.

2. Internal Forces

Characters are also shaped by internal struggles, which reflect their psychological and emotional depth.

• Desires and Ambitions: A character’s internal drive can conflict with external realities (e.g., Macbeth’s unchecked ambition in Macbeth).

• Fears and Insecurities: Personal fears can dictate actions and relationships (e.g., Jay Gatsby’s obsession with the past in The Great Gatsby).

• Moral Dilemmas: Ethical questions can challenge characters’ beliefs (e.g., Raskolnikov’s guilt in Crime and Punishment).

Analyzing these forces offers a deeper understanding of a character’s internal conflicts and overall arc.

Analyzing Relationships Between Characters and Groups

When evaluating a character’s relationship with groups, consider the following:

1. How does the character view their group?

   • Are they loyal, indifferent, or rebellious?

   • Example: Holden Caulfield’s disdain for “phonies” in The Catcher in the Rye.

2. How does the group view the character?

   • Are they accepted, rejected, or idolized?

   • Example: The town’s view of Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird.

3. What are the primary forces influencing the character’s relationship with the group?

   • Is it societal pressure, personal ambition, or external events?

   • Example: The struggle for power in Lord of the Flies.

By examining these questions, readers can develop a richer interpretation of literary works.

Conclusion

Relationships between characters and groups are central to storytelling. Whether through family ties, friendships, societal expectations, or identity struggles, these relationships shape characters’ choices and personal growth. Understanding the forces acting upon characters and their evolving connections with groups allows for deeper literary analysis and appreciation.