Quick, what’s the first thing that pops into your head when someone says, “compare and contrast characters”? Is it a Venn diagram?
Venn diagrams are often the go-to visual aid for illustrating similarities and differences. They’re practically synonymous with comparison and contrast. And while they serve as a universal symbol for this type of analytical thinking, their practical application can sometimes feel… limiting. For many educators, including myself, there’s a love-hate relationship with these overlapping circles.
Alt text: Portrait of John Venn, the creator of Venn diagrams, wearing glasses, in black and white.
While Venn diagrams are conceptually strong, the execution can be clunky. The central overlapping space, intended for similarities, often ends up cramped and awkward to write in. The outer sections, designed for differences, can become disorganized and lack depth. It’s not that Venn diagrams are inherently bad; they introduce the concept. However, when we aim to truly deepen students’ understanding of what can you compare and contrast 2 characters about, we need a broader toolkit.
To help students move beyond basic comparisons and delve into richer character analysis, it’s essential to offer diverse “vehicles” for thinking. Venn diagrams might get them started, but alternative strategies can take them further, offering different perspectives and angles. So, let’s explore some effective ways to compare and contrast characters without relying solely on Venn diagrams. These methods will encourage deeper thinking and provide more structured approaches to character analysis in literature and beyond.
1. “Everybody and Nobody” Character Analysis
The “Everybody and Nobody” strategy is a fantastic way to differentiate character analysis and encourage students to think on multiple levels. It leverages the idea that some character traits and comparisons are obvious, while others are more nuanced and require deeper insight.
The strategy is simple: ask students to identify a similarity and a difference between two characters that everybody would think of, and then challenge them to find a similarity and a difference that nobody would immediately consider.
This approach naturally differentiates instruction. Students who are still developing their analytical skills can successfully identify the “everybody” similarities and differences, building their confidence and foundational understanding. More advanced students are challenged to dig deeper, exploring less obvious aspects of the characters and their relationships to uncover the “nobody” comparisons.
For example, when comparing characters like Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom, an “everybody” similarity might be that they are both students at Hogwarts. An “everybody” difference could be Harry’s fame versus Neville’s initial obscurity. A “nobody” similarity might be their shared experiences of loss and trauma. A “nobody” difference could be their contrasting approaches to leadership and bravery.
Organizing this strategy in a notebook can be done as shown below, creating clear sections for “everybody” and “nobody” findings.
Alt text: Example notebook page for the “Everybody and Nobody” compare and contrast strategy, with two columns labeled “Everybody” and “Nobody” and sections for similarities and differences.
2. Character T-Chart with Focused Features
T-charts are incredibly versatile and require no special templates, making them an easily accessible tool for character comparison. Building upon the basic T-chart, Kristina Smekens’ strategy enhances its effectiveness for character analysis by adding a crucial middle column.
This modified T-chart has three columns: one for each character being compared (left and right columns) and a central column to identify the specific character feature or trait being analyzed in each row. This structured approach ensures focused comparison and prevents generalizations.
For character analysis, the middle column can highlight aspects like “Motivations,” “Strengths,” “Weaknesses,” “Relationships,” or “Changes Throughout the Story.” For example, when comparing Cinderella and her stepsisters, features could include “Kindness,” “Ambition,” and “Treatment of Others.” Students then fill in the corresponding columns with specific details from the text for each character related to the feature.
This method is effective for comparing characters across various genres, from informational texts to fictional stories. It can be used to analyze main characters, supporting characters, or even character archetypes. Here’s an example focusing on character traits in two different winter stories:
Alt text: Example of a three-column T-chart for compare and contrast, with middle column headings “Category”, “Character 1”, and “Character 2”, and rows for specific features like “Problem”, “Feelings”, and “Actions”.
3. Analogies for Deeper Character Understanding
Using analogies is a more recent addition to my character analysis toolkit, and it’s particularly effective with literature. Analogies challenge students to connect character traits to seemingly unrelated concepts, pushing them beyond literal interpretations.
With this strategy, students take a character or a specific character trait and compare or contrast it with something from outside the text, often something concrete or everyday. The goal is to find unexpected parallels and differences that illuminate the character’s nature.
For instance, while reading The Giver, you might ask students, “How is Jonas like a sponge?” Initially, this might elicit puzzled looks, but through discussion and critical thinking, students can identify similarities: Jonas absorbs memories like a sponge absorbs water; he becomes saturated with emotions and knowledge. They can also explore differences: a sponge is inanimate, while Jonas is a living, feeling being.
After exploring the similarities and differences in the analogy, extend the activity by asking, “If Jonas is like a sponge, what is the Giver like?” or “What everyday object best represents Fiona?”. Analogies can be challenging and require abstract thinking, but they encourage creative problem-solving and offer unique insights into character motivations and complexities.
4. “The Differences Within” Character Traits
“The Differences Within” strategy acknowledges that characters can share similarities on one level, but crucial differences exist within those shared traits. Identifying the overarching similarity provides a framework for a more nuanced exploration of contrasting characteristics.
This strategy is particularly useful when comparing characters who share a common archetype or experience but react to it differently. For example, when comparing two characters who are both considered “brave,” you can explore “The Differences Within” their bravery. One character might exhibit impulsive, reckless bravery, while the other demonstrates quiet, considered courage. Both are brave, but their bravery manifests in distinct ways.
In a classroom setting, you could visually represent this strategy with a large box representing the shared similarity (e.g., “Bravery”), with smaller boxes inside representing the specific differences in how each character displays that trait (e.g., “Reckless Bravery” vs. “Considered Courage”).
Alt text: Visual representation of “The Differences Within” strategy, showing a large box for the shared similarity with two smaller boxes inside representing the unique differences within that similarity.
5. Character Matrix Chart for Multiple Comparisons
When comparing and contrasting more than two characters, or when analyzing numerous character traits across multiple characters, a matrix chart (or character comparison chart) becomes invaluable. This strategy is essentially a spreadsheet-like organizer, providing a structured framework for managing complex character comparisons.
The matrix chart uses rows to list each character being compared and columns to represent specific character traits or aspects of analysis (e.g., “Motivation,” “Appearance,” “Role in Conflict,” “Character Development”). Students fill in the cells with relevant details for each character and trait.
While filling out the chart, students might focus on individual character details. However, the true power of the matrix chart emerges after completion. The completed chart becomes a visual tool that allows students to step back, see patterns, and identify overarching similarities and differences across multiple characters that they might have missed otherwise.
For example, comparing characters from The Lord of the Rings – Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin – across traits like “Responsibility,” “Optimism,” and “Leadership” using a matrix chart can reveal subtle yet significant distinctions in their roles and development within the narrative.
Alt text: Example of a matrix chart for compare and contrast, with rows for “Object 1”, “Object 2”, and “Object 3” and columns for features like “Number of Sides”, “Number of Vertices”, and “Number of Faces”.
While Venn diagrams have their place as an introductory tool, these alternative strategies offer richer, more nuanced approaches to character analysis. By expanding our toolkit beyond the familiar circles, we empower students to engage in deeper critical thinking and develop a more comprehensive understanding of what can you compare and contrast 2 characters about and how these comparisons enrich our reading experience. So, explore these methods and watch your students’ character analysis skills flourish!
