What do we call a person, animal, or entity in a literary work?

In literary works, the term used to refer to a person, animal, or entity is "character." Characters are the individuals, whether human, animal, or even inanimate objects personified, that engage in the story and drive the narrative forward through their actions, dialogues, and experiences. They are essential for developing the plot and themes of the work, as they embody the conflicts and emotions that make a story compelling.

Context refers to the circumstances surrounding a text, including its setting and the author's background, but it does not denote any individual within the narrative. Theme relates to the underlying messages or main ideas that emerge through the story, while plot refers to the sequence of events that compose the narrative. Understanding characters is crucial for grasping the dynamics within a story, as they are the vessels through which the audience experiences the narrative.