Chapter structure: active vs passive characters

In storytelling, one of the most crucial elements that keeps readers engaged is the flow of action and how characters respond to it. Whether a character is active or passive within a chapter can drastically change the tone, pacing, and emotional resonance of a scene.

When you write a chapter (and the scenes within it), it's important to understand who is active and who is passive and how roles start to shift. It carries the narrative forward while still offering moments of reflection, conflict, and growth. It's very useful if you're afraid of the first chapter syndrome.

Defining Active vs Passive Characters

Before explaining the nuances of how to structure a chapter around these dynamics, it’s important to establish what I mean by active and passive characters.

• Active Characters: These characters take initiative and make decisions that directly influence the plot. They are not just reacting to events around them, but rather shaping their environment through their actions and choices. Even if they are unaware of their impact, their decisions create movement in the story. Active characters drive the narrative forward.

• Passive Characters: On the other hand, passive characters largely react to external forces. They may be caught up in events, but they don’t have much agency or influence over them. Passive characters tend to follow the lead of more active characters or simply find themselves swept along by the plot. While their actions may be significant, they are often motivated by things happening around them rather than actively seeking change.

In many stories, especially those that follow the traditional three-act structure, the main protagonist begins as a more passive character, but gradually transitions into an active one, particularly after the inciting incident. This shift is crucial for the narrative's development and the character’s arc. Let’s explore how this works.

Even within chapters, the main protagonist usually starts as a passive character. Their actions are usually just reactions that follow someone else's move. But as the story progresses, it's important to give them a leading role.

Chapter Structure and the Shift from Passive to Active

At the heart of most well-paced stories is the notion of change. This is where the transition from a passive to an active character plays a pivotal role. Chapters can often be viewed through the lens of which character drives the plot.

This dynamic doesn’t just apply to main protagonists but can also influence side characters, antagonists, and even the environment itself.

In terms of structure, an entire chapter can be framed around the perception of either an active or passive character. Consider the following breakdown of how the story may shift between active and passive dynamics across a chapter. I'll give you the example of the first Harry Potter book, where in chapter 4, "The Keeper of the Keys", Harry starts as passive and grows more active.

Opening of the Chapter (Passive Character)

In many stories, particularly during moments of emotional or psychological reflection, the character might feel passive. They might not yet be aware of the looming threat or the necessary actions they must take.

These moments could involve the protagonist in a state of inertia. Perhaps they’re emotionally defeated, or caught in a situation they feel powerless to change. Here, the protagonist’s perspective becomes one of observation rather than action.

Example: Harry is stuck in a hut with the Dursleys and has no idea who has been sending all those letters. Suddenly, a giant barges in.

Midpoint (Active Character)

Often, a pivotal moment occurs where the protagonist or another character becomes active. This is a crucial turning point, typically tied to the inciting incident, where the character must respond, decide, or act. They take a stand or initiate a course of action that sets the narrative into motion. That way, you avoid creating a boring scene.

This can take many forms, from an emotional outburst to a dramatic decision. The shift is often accompanied by internal or external conflict, driving the chapter toward its conclusion.

Example: Harry learns the truth about his parents. He takes on a more active role by asking questions and confronting the Dursleys about their lies.

Climax and Conclusion (Active Character)

At this stage, the character’s active role continues to evolve. Their decisions and actions are at the forefront, creating consequences and reactions that move the story toward resolution. It’s essential that the character’s shift from passive to active feels earned and realistic, as this is often a moment of major transformation for the protagonist.

Example: Harry leaves with Hagrid to live this new life he knows nothing about. There's no turning back.

In the examples, you can imagine the chapter through Harry's POV but the real active character is actually Hagrid, because he's the one offering an actual change. If I were to write this chapter, I would start from his point of view, using a simple structure : what's his goal? What stands in the way? How does he react? and do the same for each character in the chapter.

Examples of Active and Passive Characters

To better illustrate how an active versus passive character can influence the structure of a chapter, let’s consider some examples from well-known stories.

Example 1: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen initially seems like a passive character. At the beginning of the story, she is forced into the Games against her will. She reacts to events around her and is not actively seeking change.

However, after the inciting incident—her sister Prim being chosen for the Games—Katniss becomes an active character, deciding to volunteer in her sister’s place. This shift into action drives the plot forward.

In the chapters following her decision to enter the Games, Katniss takes active control over her survival strategy. The narrative follows her choices, which directly affect the outcome of the Games, making her a central force driving the action.

Example 2: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Nick Carraway, the protagonist of The Great Gatsby, is largely a passive observer throughout most of the novel. He’s caught in the whirlwind of Gatsby’s lavish parties, Daisy’s indecisiveness, and Tom Buchanan’s selfishness. Nick rarely takes action himself but rather reflects on the events around him.

However, there are moments in the story where Nick, despite his usual passivity, becomes more active. For instance, his decision to confront Gatsby about Daisy and his own growing disillusionment with the world of excess marks a shift from observer to participant. In these key moments, Nick’s actions push the narrative into its tragic conclusion.

Example 3: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

In Harry Potter, Harry starts out as a passive character, with a tragic backstory. Living with the Dursleys, he is mistreated and unaware of the magical world. The inciting incident—the arrival of his Hogwarts letter—pushes him from passivity into an active role. Once Harry enters Hogwarts, he actively pursues knowledge, forms friendships, and confronts challenges head-on. However, his passivity comes into play when he is uncertain about his role in defeating Voldemort or when he must rely on others for help.

Throughout the novel, Harry’s journey can be viewed as a gradual shift from passive observer to active participant in the larger battle between good and evil. Each chapter marks a step in Harry’s active role in shaping his destiny.

How to Structure Chapters Around Active vs Passive Characters

Now that we’ve explored examples of active versus passive characters, let’s look at how writers can structure chapters around these dynamics.

1. Establish the Character’s State at the Beginning of the Chapter:
   In the early parts of a chapter, you can create a passive atmosphere by showing the character’s internal struggle, hesitations, or indecisiveness. This can be reflected in dialogue, setting, or action (or lack thereof). For example, a character might spend the first part of the chapter reflecting on their failures or contemplating a decision without making a choice.

2. Introduce the Inciting Event or Catalyst:
   Once the character has been shown in a passive state, introduce a catalyst or external event that forces them into action. This could be an unexpected confrontation, a new challenge, or a call to action that disrupts their comfortable passivity. The character’s reaction to this event is key to shifting the chapter’s dynamics from passive to active.

3. The Transition to Active Character:
   After the inciting incident, make sure to emphasize the character’s decision or action that propels them forward. This moment doesn’t have to be grand; it could be a small but decisive choice that propels the narrative, such as standing up to an antagonist, making a plan, or taking an important step in their personal journey.

4. End with Consequences of Action:
   Finally, end the chapter by showing the consequences of the character’s active decision. This keeps the momentum of the story flowing and sets up the next chapter where the stakes may escalate further. The active character’s choices should result in clear outcomes—whether positive or negative—marking the chapter’s resolution and leading into the next phase of the plot.

Understanding the balance between active and passive characters in chapter structure can elevate your storytelling. By allowing your protagonist to transition from a passive to an active role, you create a sense of progression and growth, vital to character development and plot development.

The interplay between passive and active roles is not just about who’s in control, but about the transformation characters undergo as they navigate their journey. In the end, both types of characters are crucial for maintaining tension, creating complexity, and ultimately, telling a compelling story.