CLASS SET- DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAGE!!!
TAPE OR GLUE THE CHART IN YOUR COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK
Literary Elements Study: Characterization
Fill in the blank spaces of the chart with your own definition.
Dynamic
Vs.
Static
Round
Vs.
Experience changes throughout the plot of a story. Although the change
may be sudden, it is expected based on the story’s events. A character who does not change
A fully developed character who the reader knows
many details about.
Not fully developed; we know only one side of the character.
Flat
Read the lyrics provided on the back page, and then answer the following questions. Be sure that you
include a quote from the song that supports your answer. I will play the song once I take attendance.
1. Who is the protagonist? What traits does this person possess?
The singer is the protagonist. She is depressed and heartbroken.
She also keeps to herself and tries to deal with her problems alone.
2. Who or what is the antagonist?
The antagonist is the singer's ex-boyfriend.
3. Is the character flat or round? Why/how do we know?
She is a flat character because we know very little about her beyond
her feelings on this recent relationship
4. Is the character static or dynamic? Why/how do we know?
She is a dynamic character. She starts the song heartbroken and ready
to "cut out" her "graceless heart" rather than deal with her pain. However,
by the end of the song, she is once again "ready to suffer" and "ready to
hope" that things will get better and she will find love again if she can
"shake [her depression] off."
"Shake It Out"
Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play
And every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn
And I've been a fool and I've been blind
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
She deals with her problems alone
She has trouble letting go of past heartbreak
I'm always dragging that horse around
All of these questions, such a mournful sound
Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground
So I like to keep my issues drawn
But it's always darkest before the dawn
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa
I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn
She has given up on relationships
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
And given half the chance would I take any of it back
It's a fine romance but it's left me so undone
It's always darkest before the dawn
And I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't
So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my rope
And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope
It's a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat
She is ready to move on and forget the past,
Cause looking for heaven, found the devil in me
she will not let herself be heartbroken again.
Looking for heaven, found the devil in me
Well what the hell I'm gonna let it happen to me
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh whoa
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back She can shake
So shake him off, oh whoa
off, or forget, the past
(or "the devil" aka her ex)