So about 40 years ago a man by the name of Joseph Campbell proposed the idea that there is only one story. He called it the monomyth. All stories have 3 parts:

1. A person goes on a journey.

2. They face trials and tribulations.

3. They come to a better understanding of there place in the Universe.

The second part of this is that any hero (hero in the story sense, not the courage sense) needs to go through some fundamental transformation or growth. Obviously Zuko has gone through this. In the Firebending Masters he even gives a line that nearly copies the Campbellian philosophy. Aang went through the acceptance that he is the Avatar and his life will require him to fill that role. Even Sokka has grown as a person.

But it seems to me that the only female character in the show to really grow is Mai. She has accepted it is okay to care and it is okay to show it. I don't expect Azula to grow as she is the foil for the heroes. But I really expected more growth from Toph and Katara...especially Katara. With everything that has gone on and everything she has faced she is still the same person she always was.

Thoughts?

Character development usually means a character receives a new outlook on life or assumes a new role but their personality doesn't necessarily need to change. Look at Zuko. He's good with a changed attitude but still maintains the same 'I'm-never-happy-but-still-try-to-be' personality.

That being said, Katara went from Waterbending novice (that's newb to you interwebians) to the Avatar's master between S1 & S2. She also realized she shouldn't be so motherly at the same time Toph developed (not in the physical sense) when she made peace with her parents over-protectiveness.

I think by the close of the season Katara's growth will prove more noticeable. She has changed I think. Aang and everyone have taught her how to have fun every once in a while and that she doesn't always have to be the "mother figure"- that it's okay to loosen up. Also I can argue that Katara is by far tougher than she was at the start of the show. Her threat to Zuko is proof that she is a strong person, if someone messes with her she'll fight back and stand up for herself. And while that was true at the beginning, I think it's even more true now.

I also think that in part there's been little improvement for Katara because there's little room to improve, how would you suggest they make her a better person? She's almost too good in my opinion. And so she can't grow much more.

I've read the Campbell theory and agree to an extent, but I think it's mostly for the main character not necessarily everyone else. Zuko and Aang are the ones that go through the most and are the heart of the story, so the campbell theory would apply to them above everyone else anyway.