Final answer:
To truly relate with characters, they need to be both round, exhibiting depth and complexity, and dynamic, experiencing significant development. Readers connect with characters who display vulnerability and growth, which are essential for a powerful narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
We need our characters to be both round and dynamic to truly relate with them. In literature, a round character is depicted with complexity, demonstrating a personality with depth that often mirrors that of real people. Such characters frequently experience significant development over the course of a narrative, making them dynamic characters as well. This development can include changes in understanding, values, or behavior. To truly engage readers and allow them to form a connection with the characters, writers must craft individuals with which the audience can empathize and see reflections of human experience. To achieve this, characters must exhibit vulnerability, undergo changes, and interact meaningfully within the story's context.
Static or flat characters lack the same level of depth and do not experience significant change, often serving as reference points or contrasts to highlight the growth and complexity of dynamic round characters. The connection the audience feels towards characters in a story is essential for a powerful narrative, and it is through their actions, growth, and human-like traits that readers find themselves invested in what happens next. In E.M. Forster's literary discussions, this is a vital element for successful characterization and storytelling.