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new page as linked from Panto... oh yes it is
A '''stock character''' is a character type that appears frequently in plays, [[novel]]s, [[story|stories]] or [[film]]s of a particular [[genre]]. The characters' names, appearances and minor details change from one tale to another, but certain recurring character traits are always or often present.
Any strongly identifiable genre of [[fiction]] will usually have a cast of stock characters who appear frequently. For example, crime novels often feature:
* a central [[detective]] who is obsessively devoted to his job but struggles with personal problems such as [[alcohol]]ism and/or a failing [[marriage]]
* a younger, inexperienced sidekick to the central detective
* a chief of police who is a good man but disapproves of the detective's unorthodox investigative methods
* a small-time criminal who is a good man deep down and will help the side of [[law]] and order in the end.
These characters do not all appear in every crime story, and may be modified by individual [[author]]s, but their basic types form part of the conventions of the crime genre. As such, audiences expect characters in crime novels to act a certain way to some degree, and authors are able to use those expectations as a tool, confirming or confounding them as appropriate to a particular situation.
Other genres particularly noted for their use of stock characters include:
* [[horror]] movies
* romantic novels
* [[pantomime]]
* [[commedia dell'arte]]
* [[sport]]s movies ''a la'' the ''Rocky'' series.
[[category:Literature]]
Any strongly identifiable genre of [[fiction]] will usually have a cast of stock characters who appear frequently. For example, crime novels often feature:
* a central [[detective]] who is obsessively devoted to his job but struggles with personal problems such as [[alcohol]]ism and/or a failing [[marriage]]
* a younger, inexperienced sidekick to the central detective
* a chief of police who is a good man but disapproves of the detective's unorthodox investigative methods
* a small-time criminal who is a good man deep down and will help the side of [[law]] and order in the end.
These characters do not all appear in every crime story, and may be modified by individual [[author]]s, but their basic types form part of the conventions of the crime genre. As such, audiences expect characters in crime novels to act a certain way to some degree, and authors are able to use those expectations as a tool, confirming or confounding them as appropriate to a particular situation.
Other genres particularly noted for their use of stock characters include:
* [[horror]] movies
* romantic novels
* [[pantomime]]
* [[commedia dell'arte]]
* [[sport]]s movies ''a la'' the ''Rocky'' series.
[[category:Literature]]