Characterization refers to which of the following?

Characterization is a literary technique that involves the portrayal and development of characters within a story. This process enables writers to present characters in a way that reveals their personality traits, motivations, and complexities, allowing readers to engage deeply with them. Through characterization, authors can use various methods, such as dialogue, actions, and inner thoughts, to flesh out a character's role in the narrative, making them relatable or compelling.

In this context, the focus is specifically on the development of characters as distinct individuals, rather than other elements of the narrative structure, settings, or themes. While these other components are important aspects of storytelling, they do not encompass the essence of characterization, which is solely concentrated on how characters are brought to life and how they evolve throughout the story.