Question

Please help me!!! Which best defines a literary stereotype and its purpose in literary?

A- A literary stereotype is a term used interchangeably with prejudice.
B- A literary stereotypes creates conflict and contrast how a character may seem with who a character really is.
C- A literary stereotypes has no purpose in literary in literary expect to reveal prejudice and express the views of an antagonist.
D- A literary stereotype is a way for the writer to indicate whether a character is good or evil, a protagonist or an antagonist.

Answer 1

Although stereotypes can be linked to prejudice as described in A & C, I don't think this is what the question is after because it specifies "literary stereotype." In literature, stereotypes can be used to create tension. They provide a character with an expected behavior, the stereotype, and if the character doesn't follow that behavior it is interesting because it is unexpected.

So I like answer B the best because it creates conflict with character expectations.

By the way, with answer D, good, evil, protagonist or antagonists are archetypes, not stereotypes.