Telling stories or narrating events is at the core of our being. It varies according to vocabulary, mindset and perspective. But whether fiction or fact, there are certain patterns.
Almost every story has at least one character. These characters also have a personality that they reflect. If the story is long and detailed, they may change over time. They are likely to evolve, for better or worse, and take on a completely new form.
In creating their characters, writers are careful to choose their emotional integrity and mindset correctly. Characters can sometimes gain depth as a result of written events: a character may have lost a loved one, had a child, slain a dragon, or harvested the first crop of a ploughed field. Since each of these events has its own emotions, the feelings and thoughts that the characters will reflect as a result of the events need to be put into words in the right way.
Therefore, they can be inspired by a structure that is always present in people, but is often not revealed, or does not want to be revealed. These are foibles. Flaws, eccentricities, weaknesses. There may be more than one, but at least one is dominant and characteristic of the character.
These foibles may be more memorable because they are identified with the person. They may be directly evoked by the flaw mentioned. This is why it is not only an effective method, but also one that must be used correctly. It is not only their different structures that make them impressive, but also their ability to deal with the effects of these weaknesses on themselves and those around them.
Photo by Matúš Kovačovský on Unsplash
So if we need examples, what would they be? Let’s analyse.
Stubbornness would be a good place to start. For example, Harry Potter and his friends are constantly involved in events that get them into trouble. Although they are often caught, their stubbornness combined with their childish curiosity makes the process exciting. Although this weakness is suitable for all ages, it may be easier to impart to children and the elderly.
Obsession can also be a sign of weakness. At the very least, it can take on a tone that other characters dislike. Sherlock Holmes interrupts those around him or silences them by offering analytical analyses. He even refuses to be in the same environment because of social inhibitions, or orders them to shut up even when they are not talking. It seems an appropriate foible for a clever detective.
Don Quixote’s idealism (as well as his delusions of grandeur/megalomania) is a factor that makes him unusual. We are all familiar with the wandering warrior. He projects the reflection of his own mind onto reality and thinks it is right to live that way. This appears as a weakness, far from reality, containing illusions but appealing to his desires.
Although we all know him as the Ring-bearer, Frodo was actually a reluctant man. Though he showed courage in the decision made at the council, he grew weary as the adventure he was embarking on and the burden he was carrying grew heavier with time. Apart from the fact that the situation was understandable, the series of decisions brought about by reluctance and doubt brought him to a different point in our eyes. That’s why we’re glad that there’s someone like Sam, the main protagonist of the film.
Alice (in Wonderland), on the other hand, is a naive character and her thoughts are immature. This seems to be a negative trait in general, true. However, since the general narrative of the story is to teach a lesson in the form of a fable and to open the curtains of the fantasy world, it is not so contradictory. On the contrary, it is a necessity. Because her attitude towards the adult world and her purity guide us, make us concentrate and learn with her.
In addition to all these, if we wanted to add foibles to our characters, we could choose the following: intellectual arrogance, procrastination, perfectionism, pretentiousness, alienation, eccentricity, ambition, cynicism, a miserly personality with deep pockets.
Think about your favourite works and examine the structure of the characters. What comes to mind when you say their names, and what kind of emotional integrity do you ascribe to them? In a well-written work it will be easier for you to see the structures that bring them to the fore.
Articles that might interest you:
Comments