Final answer:
Round characters are well-developed, dynamic individuals in literature that undergo personal growth, contrasting with flat, static characters. E.M. Forster's concept defines round characters by their ability to surprise in convincing ways, providing complexity akin to real people.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most protagonists and antagonists are round characters. The true test of roundness is in a character's ability to surprise in a convincing way. As E.M. Forster has posited, round characters present a complexity similar to real people, capable of personal growth, emotional change, and psychological depth.
A character's flatness or roundness relates to whether they are static and unchanging or dynamic and capable of change. Flat characters tend to be one-dimensional and serve a specific purpose in the story without undergoing significant transformations.
In contrast, round characters are well-developed, often experiencing significant personal growth and changes in perspective throughout the narrative.
This dimensional depth allows readers to better visualize and connect with these characters, making them more memorable and impactful in the story.
Forster highlights the importance of this concept using the example of characters within David Copperfield and how the variety of flat and round characters contributes to the richness of the fictional narrative.
Not only does this add depth to the storytelling, but it also mirrors the complexity of human relations in real life, as seen in novels such as Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
A round character like Elizabeth Bennet experiences changes that conform to Forster's concept of roundness, providing a rich contrast against static characters like Mrs. Bennet.