Sometimes characters refuse to change, or refuse to see the need to change. Their change is more climactic, and comes all at once at the climax. It may take many years, but as surely as people's cells replace themselves from every few weeks to a few years, people do change and become new people. But growth always brings with it some pain - parting, changing, facing our weaknesses, stretching ourselves. Stories about change capture that magical moment when change occurs.
Stories tend to fall into three general categories.
First is the adventure story with a main character who tends not to change. He is the archetype, the bigger than life, perfect specimen of humanity whom we can always count on to do the right thing and to triumph over problems. He reminds us that the struggle to accomplish our goals is do-able, is right, and is fun. He may be James Bond triumphing over world oppressors and countless villains. Luke Skywalker triumphing over universal evil.