Final answer:
The question pertains to the role of background information in character development within a fictional narrative, emphasizing how such details can create a dynamic character as defined by E.M. Forster. It suggests analyzing Elizabeth Eddy's character using her personal history, location, and anecdotal experiences to understand her role in the story, exemplified by various literary examples including historical figures and fictional characters.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question revolves around the inclusion of background information and how it enriches the character development in fiction. Specifically, it refers to the character Elizabeth Eddy, presumably from a short story or fictional narrative, and asks for examples of how her background contributes to the storytelling. This finds its theoretical underpinning in E.M. Forster's distinction between 'round' or 'dynamic' characters and 'flat' characters, suggesting that Elizabeth Eddy is a complex individual whose personal history influences the plot.
In fiction, anecdotes and background information help provide depth to characters, making them more relatable and believable to readers. For example, Elizabeth's tendency to live in stories, as mentioned in one of the excerpts, gives us insight into her character and helps to explain her actions within the narrative. Factors such as personal history, location, and anecdotes give the reader a fuller understanding of characters, influencing how they perceive and interact with the plot and other characters.
Authors often strategically use these elements to craft more engaging and emotionally resonant stories, such as the rich historical context of Elizabeth I's reign, which is relevant to the character's background, or the anecdote about John Lewis in Selma, Alabama, which serves to underscore the integrity and determination of his character. In a similar vein, the naming conventions in the play 'Trifles' reflect social attitudes towards gender and identity, further demonstrating how background elements enrich the narrative.