Stock character

How it is used

Used in literary analysis when a figure fits an established pattern, such as the jealous rival or strict teacher. It may be neutral or mildly critical.

Example sentences

1. In her draft chapter, the jealous cousin begins as a stock character but gradually becomes more complex and sympathetic.

   The term marks the character’s conventional starting point, from which the writer later adds depth beyond the expected stereotype.

2. During the workshop, several students argued that the comic servant remains a stock character with no private motives.

   Here, the phrase means the figure serves an old dramatic function without enough individuality to feel fully developed.

Common collocations

• mere stock character
• stock character in comedy
• avoid a stock character

Related terms

• characterA person, or sometimes an animal or creature, who takes part in the events of a story, play or poem.
• characterizationThe ways a writer creates and reveals a character's personality, through description, actions, speech, thoughts and other characters' reactions.

More terms: Character and Characterization

• protagonist
• antagonist
• round character
• flat character
• dynamic character
• antihero
• foil
• tragic flaw
• composite character
• static character
• hero
• villain