Flat and Round Characters

The Two Faces of Literary Depth

A fundamental literary concept introduced by E. M. Forster in his book Aspects of the Novel (1927) to classify the types of characters in a work of fiction.

👥 Character types

According to E. M. Forster, fictional characters can be divided into two main blocks: “flat” and “round”.

Flat Characters

These are characters constructed around a single idea or quality. They do not change during the story and are easily recognized.

Predictable: The reader knows exactly how they will react in any situation.
Caricatures: They can be easily described in a single sentence. Generally, they represent specific “types” or “humours”.
Use in Narrative: They are very useful to the novelist, especially in comic or secondary roles. They bring stability to the background of the story, while the main characters develop.

Round Characters

These are complex and multidimensional characters, possessing psychological depth and the ability to evolve and surprise throughout the narrative.

Surprising (but convincing): The true test of a round character is whether they can surprise the reader in a convincing way. If they never surprise, they are flat.
Development: They have internal conflicts and are affected by the events of the story, changing over time.
The Great Achievement: For Forster, round characters represent the greatest achievement in character creation. They are capable of expressing the complexities of human relationships and Forster’s main philosophy: “Only connect” (connecting with one another by breaking down walls of prejudice).

⚠️ Common pitfalls

The “false” round: If a character tries to surprise, but their actions are not convincing (they sound forced for the plot), they are just “a flat character pretending to be round”.
Discarding the flats: Many beginner writers think that all characters need to be complex and round. Flat characters are essential; a novel made only of round characters can become chaotic and lose focus.