ATD: NO SPOILERS NO PAGE # Re: Rocketmen and Wastelands

[bekah]

 From <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fictional_character>

Round vs. Flat

Round characters are those characters who are most complex and 
realistic; they represent a depth of personality which is imitative 
of life. They frequently possess both good and bad traits, and they 
may react unexpectedly or become entangled in their own interior 
conflicts.

Protagonists are normally round characters, though notable examples 
(such as Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron[1]) exist. Antagonists are 
often round as well, though comedic villains may be almost farcically 
flat. Examples of round characters from various genres include 
Humbert Humbert of Nabokov's Lolita, Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler 
of Mitchell's Gone with the Wind, Vladimir Taltos of Brust's series 
of novels, Frodo of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, Buffy 
Summers of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Magneto of the X-Men comics and 
films, and Syaoran of CLAMP's Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle.

A flat character is distinguished by its lack of a realistic 
personality. Though the description of a flat character may be 
detailed and rich in defining characteristics, it falls short of the 
complexity associated with a round character.

A number of stereotypical, or "stock" characters, have developed 
throughout the history of drama. Some of these characters include the 
country bumpkin, the con artist, and the city slicker. These 
characters are often the basis of flat characters, though elements of 
stock characters can be found in round characters as well. The 
commedia dell'arte, a form of improvisational theatre which 
originated in Italy, consists of performers acting as well-known 
stock characters in conventional situations.

Supporting characters are generally flat, as most minor roles do not 
require a great deal of complexity. In addition, experimental 
literature and postmodern fiction often intentionally make use of 
flat characters, even as protagonist
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