Final answer:
In literature, normative character traits often highlight complementary attributes in the protagonist, and these evolve throughout the narrative. Characterization represents the complex and evolving nature of characters which can include changes over time and positive traits becoming flaws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The traits of a normative character in a story often emphasize complementary traits in the protagonist. These traits might serve as a foil or a benchmark against which the protagonist's qualities and growth are measured. For example, while the protagonist might initially share similarities or display contrasting qualities with a normative character, throughout the narrative these could evolve into traits that complement each other, enhancing the storytelling and character development.
When it comes to characters in a story, characterization is about the attributes the author assigns to individual figures in the narrative. The attributes of a hero, or any character for that matter, can indeed change over time, reflecting developments in society's values or the author's message. Additionally, a positive personality trait can become a tragic flaw when it is taken to an extreme and begins to cause problems for the character or those around them, often seen in classical tragedies.
Character archetypes, such as the hero or the villain, help to build the conflict within a story, which can include character vs. character, character vs. self, character vs. environment or nature, character vs. society, and character vs. fate or the supernatural. These conflicts and how characters react to them serve to flesh out their personalities and contribute to their development over the course of the story.