Character relationships refer to how different characters interact with each other within a story. The relationships that characters form with others influence who they are, shape events, reveal personalities, and drive character development. 1
The main character can have one or more relationships in a story.
These relationships can either be good or bad.
The relationships may change or evolve throughout the story.
To analyse character relationships, we must ask ourselves:
How are these characters connected?
How do they speak to each other?
How are the characters when they’re together and away from each other?
Is their relationship positive or negative?
What events or actions have had an impact on this relationship?
Do they behave differently with other characters?
And…Look for evidence in the text to support your answers.
Character relationships can be both positive and negative: 1
Glossary
Development: How a character changes or grows in a story, often because of their relationships
Impact: When something affects or changes a person or situation
Evidence: Details from the story that help prove or explain your answer
Character relationships help us understand how characters interact with one another. The relationships that characters form with others impact who they are.
Relationships can be of different types. Examples include: friends, siblings, employer, bully
Relationships may be positive or negative. Examples include: nurturing vs. neglectful, comforting vs. competitive, kind vs. abusive