They rather give us, as does Gautier in the picturesque account which follows, some recognized starting-point, and for definition content themselves with characterization of the spirit and aims of chivalry, analysis of its methods, and the story of its rise and fall.

[430] A.H. Tieje, Theory of Characterization in Prose Fiction Prior to 1740 (Minneapolis, 1916), p. 14.

But the study of characterization as part of the education of an orator became fixed in the curriculum of rhetoric schools.

Although this characterization by Marmontel may be true, too much must not be attributed to self-conceit, for Marivaux was rather timid and suspicious of himself at heart than self-conceited, and this very lack of confidence, this desire to please and to be thought well of, which caused him, at times, to emphasize before his friends his own worth, is a key to his nature, without which it would be difficult to understand him.

Variety and color are imparted to the narrative by frequent quotations from the sources, and by striking characterizations from modern works.

The humorous characterization is joyously exaggerated into caricature,the serious characterization into romantic unreality, Richard Swiveller and Little Nell refuse to combine.