Stock characters are formulaic figures in a story that provide quick recognition of certain traits. They can be used for parody or unexpected twists, and while they lack personal development, they create comfort and familiarity for audiences. Stock characters are highly cultural and often used in fairy tales and ancient legends. Parody often uses stock characters to set expectations, but they can also be twisted to create new attributes.
A stock character is a figure within a story whose role and attributes are formulaic in nature. This type of character is often familiar to audiences, as they are usually similar to figures from other works, allowing for quick and easy recognition of certain traits. A standard character is often used in parody, as it provides a stereotype upon which various ideas can be used; such figures as a “damsel in distress,” “the wicked stepmother,” and “a lackadaisical rich businessman” are all such characters. These types of roles can also be used for unexpected twists, as the audience assumes that a character will act one way, who will then do something else.
While a stock character is typically one-dimensional and usually lacks much personal development, these figures can play important roles within a story. Audiences often enjoy a sense of familiarity, especially when something extravagant or unusual is presented. A stock character often creates a certain amount of comfort for the audience, as she feels she knows what to expect and understands where these characters are coming from. Further developments can be provided, or these figures can simply remain simplistic and used as a contrast to others in a story.
The traits of a stock character are often highly cultural, as the nature of an audience is important for recognition. Figures and roles that American audiences may see as common are not necessarily the same as those characters that seem familiar to a Chinese or South African viewer. Fairy tales and ancient legends are often filled with these characters, as many of the roles and archetypes used in modern storytelling are descended from such characters. A stock character can be used to remind these other stories, allowing the audience to recognize the themes through the introduction of certain roles.
Parody is often based on creating a stock character, as it quickly sets certain expectations for the audience. A morality tale about the corrupting nature of greed, for example, might use a rich, apathetic character to mock the nature of human greed. A stock character can also be used to create expectations, but then twist the story in a certain way. The image of women in certain stories as ‘weak’ or ‘needing rescue’ can be quickly portrayed through a figure representing these ideas. If this character ends up rescuing a male figure, such as a “handsome prince,” the roles have been reversed from the stereotype and familiar characters begin to take on new attributes.
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