Monday, June 06, 2016
Monday
Whenever I read a story, I'm usually disappointed by the way the protagonist is written. It's my fault for not connecting to the standard character arc. Usually characters start out lacking or broken, then they have an adventure which teaches them the lessons they needed to heal or become amazing. Or, another version, characters start out perfect and are perfectly equipped to manage any obstacle or mystery, which they overcome easily and remain perfect.
"Welcome to Dairy Queen."
And I thought life worked like that. I've said it before. I thought I was one of those static, fully formed characters. Any hiccup or kink in my smooth ride would work itself out because I came pre-loaded with all the tools and information I would ever need.
But life isn't like that. People fail and never recover. Jokes fall flat. There are awkward drive thru intercom conversations.
"Welcome to Dairy Queen."
"Uh, yes, would you be so kind as to prepare 3 kid size vanilla cones? uh, thank you!"
"what?"
"Uh, three, er, kids sized cones please."
"3 diet cokes?"
"oh, sorry, uh, 3 Va-nil-a CONES!"
"That will be a dollar seventy five."
"There's no way that's right"
"what?"
"I'm worried that...can I please just drive around?"
I'd love to have an adventure where I return having learned the perfect way to order an ice cream cone. Can I have that adventure please?
The kid in The Power of One is an example of a character I dislike. Sure, horrible things happen to him, but he has seemingly instant access to all the skills he needs to overcome. He's a whiz at math and languages, an elite athlete, charismatic speaker. And everything ties up in a neat bow. He even gets to beat up the big baddie at the end. No catharsis left uncatharted. It doesn't ring true.
The main character in Native's Son, or Confederacy of Dunces are locked into a world view that doesn't serve them and only fuels the conflict. That appeals to me. I think there are some aspects of our personas that are permanent and we have to contend with our environment imperfectly.
# posted by joel @ 7:12 AM 
