In the novel "In the Heat of the Night" is Virgil Tibbs a round or flat character and why?

Very good story and worthy of much more discussion than one can give here, but I'll try to be as brief as possible.

Tibbs would definitely be classified as a round character, primarily because he's a black man, but secondarily because his character couldn't survive, under scrutiny or development, without having multiple personality/character traits. The perception of Tibbs comes from the viewpoint of stereotyped southern folk, and from the time he's discovered to be a police officer, then through the investigation to its conclusion, Tibbs continually surprises the locals with his ability to adapt (to survive and conquer, really) via his training and his intelligence. Interestingly, the sheriff would be considered a flat character, almost devoid of the ability to have multiple character traits due to his consistent portrayal as a stubborn bigot. However, at the conclusion we are introduced to a round character-in-the-making, as both Tibbs and Gillespie are parting as wary friends.

That's the best I can do on short notice. :-))

Thanks a lot!!!:)