Dynamic Character – a character which changes during the course of a story or novel. The change in outlook or character is permanent. Sometimes a dynamic character is called a developing character.

The example that comes immediately to mind is Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter”. He is at first a hypocrite who will not admit to his act of adultery with Hester Prynne. However, guilt eats away at him and ruins his physical and mental health. He finally reveals his guilt and shows that he, too, wears a scarlet letter “A” — except that it is engraved in his own flesh.