1. Character development: Do the characters change and grow over the course of the novel? Do their experiences shape their personalities? If the characters are static and unchanging, it can be difficult to connect with them and feel invested in their stories.
2. Character motivations: What drives the characters? What do they want? Why do they do the things they do? Understanding the characters' motivations can help you empathize with them and their decisions, even if you don't always agree with them.
3. Character relationships: How do the characters interact with each other? Do they support and encourage each other, or do they conflict and compete? The dynamics of the characters' relationships can be just as interesting and complex as their individual stories.
4. Character traits: What are the characters' strengths and weaknesses? What are their unique personality traits? What makes them memorable and distinct from each other? The more you know about the characters, the more you can appreciate their complexity and richness.
5. The portrayal of the characters in the novel's context: How does the author portray the characters in relation to their surroundings and circumstances? Do they fit in, or are they outsiders? How does their environment shape their personalities? The context in which the characters are presented can have a profound impact on how the reader understands and relates to them.
By paying attention to these aspects, you can deepen your appreciation of the characterization in a novel and gain a richer understanding of the story.