We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

Literature Glossary

Don’t be an oxymoron. Know your literary terms.

Over 200 literary terms, Shmooped to perfection.

Stock Character

Definition:

Hagrid. Hodor. Fezzik. What do these three massive men have in common—aside from gargantuan grocery bills? They're all the same stock character: a gentle giant, to be specific.

A stock character is a conventional character that's instantly recognizable to readers because it pops up everywhere. A lot. Evil stepmothers. Tortured artists. Reluctant heroes. Manic pixie dream girls. They're all stock characters.

Since stock characters are such familiar stereotypes, they're often pretty one-dimensional and boring… but they don't have to be. Skilled writers sometimes use stock characters to subvert the very conventions that they're associated with. Hello, Neville Longbottom.