Dynamic characters in short stories are interesting because a life event or change alters what characters think they initially want and changes their way of thinking.  “Initiation,” “The Interlopers” and “The Necklace” all have dynamic characters that learn strong lessons, ultimately changing their course of action and life goals.  Greed, short sightedness, stubbornness, hatred and other character flaws can inhibit a character from realizing what is really important in life, but something alters their way of thinking and their goals and aspirations change making them see life differently.

In Saki’s short story “The Interlopers” two men, Ulrich von Gradwitz and Georg Znaeym are involved in a family feud that has lasted for three generations over land ownership; they cannot see beyond their hatred for one another. Both Gradwitz and Znaeym harbor hostility toward one another, will not compromise and their bitterness consumes them.  Each man wants the other man dead, but a storm that traps both men under a tree allows them to see each other if a different way due to their vulnerable situation. Znaeym mockingly said after they were trapped “Ulrich von Gradwitz snared in his own stolen forest.”  After a short time, Ulrich made the first move to be kind and attempt to be friends, Georg accepts the friendship and both men forgive each other.   The surprise ending makes a bigger impact about the change in the attitude of the characters.

After so much time spent hating each other, the two men are friends and want to share this with others, but most likely will not get the chance since the first to arrive on the scene are not their men, but wolves.

 “Initiation”, a short story by Sylvia Plath involves a young girl named Millicent who believes the best thing that can happen to her is to be accepted by a sorority that will make her instantly popular. While interacting with people during her five day initiation, she realizes she will have to give up friends that are not part of the sorority and conform to the rules of the sorority. In other words, she would be restricted from thinking and acting by herself, but would have to behave and conform to be like all the girls in the sorority. Millicent’s revelation happens when she encounters a happy man on the bus who lives life to the fullest and enjoys himself.  It reminds her of  ”sparrows are all alike, but the heather bird is free and independent.” Millicent is classified as a dynamic character because she thought it was important to be accepted in to a sorority to belong and be popular until she sees that life more clearly and changes her mind.  She realized what she truly want s is to be her own person, free, happy an independent living the way she wants to live.