Indirect characterization is a literary technique used by authors to reveal a character's personality through the thoughts, actions, dialogue, and reactions of other characters, rather than through direct statements. This method allows readers to infer traits and motivations, creating a more nuanced understanding of the character. For example, if a character is seen helping others or showing kindness through their actions, readers can conclude that they are compassionate without the author explicitly stating it. This contrasts with direct characterization, where the author tells the reader exactly what a character is like.