ABSTRACT
Depicting the character of the client through reading social work accounts has already been shown to be an important feature of their construction and reception. This chapter discusses the usefulness of some approaches to character depiction in literary theory and sociology. It examines how 'character' in literary theory suggests monologic and fixed versions which mikhail Bakhtin contrasts with 'personality'. The chapter investigates character depictions which are unfinalised and uncertain, but far from producing 'round' characters, can be heard to display an ambiguous character. A literary approach to unfinalised and contested character depiction has much in common with sociological concepts of versions and categories. The interrelation of character depiction and action can be observed in a radio programme about a child protection case conference. Character depictions are heard to overpower plot, justifying the uncertainty of action. Stuart's ambiguity is heard to render any action as inappropriate.
