Final answer:
The term for a character that experiences significant changes throughout a story is a 'dynamic character.' These changes can be in personality or character traits, often seen in protagonists due to facing and overcoming obstacles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Character Development in Literature
The term used to describe a character who undergoes an important change in their personality or character throughout the story is a dynamic character. Dynamic characters experience growth or transformation, which can be gradual or the result of an epiphany. This contrasts with static characters, who remain largely unchanged throughout the narrative. The protagonist is often, but not necessarily, a dynamic character, as they typically face and overcome significant challenges. Conversely, an antagonist is the character who opposes the protagonist, potentially driving the narrative conflict forward.
In your personal narrative, you are most likely to be a dynamic character, as such stories focus on impactful experiences that shape character growth. In literature, character development involves how a writer uses descriptive techniques, including viewpoint and plot structure, to deepen our understanding of a character. Teachers may ask students to analyze a character's development to delve into the story's themes, conflicts, and resolutions.