If I were ever to write a book, I think that the hardest part would be to create a diverse collection of characters that didn't reflect me. It would be difficult to not make a hero character that had my red hair, irresistible charm, and incredibly handsome features! Haha, I'm just kidding. It is true, however, that the characters that I created would be highly influenced by my thoughts, experience, worldview, and personality traits. I wonder how various authors see their characters and how they develop them. Do the authors ever see themselves in the books they write?
I know that I often find myself in the books that I'm reading. In the movies and TV shows I find myself clinging to characters and feeling as if I have some sort of tie to that character. The question is, why? I wondered for a time if perhaps my seeing myself in characters of a book was merely my self-centered nature coming out...me thinking of myself more than I should, but no. That is not the case. Within characters of fictitious origin and through their action or inaction we can discover ourselves. We can learn about who we are, who we are not, and who we wish we were.
As a part of my recent desire to be self-aware I decided to engage in a little exercise. I began analyzing my childhood favorites and began to search for answers as to why I loved them so much. What I found was very interesting. The following is a list of some favorite characters that I have held most dear and/or found connection with over the course of my life:
Additionally, I found that I have a high view of words and language...almost to the point of believing that my words actually hold supernatural power (a doctrine often found in charismatic churches that I found appealing). This admiration for language and power in words only reinforced my love for the characters Gandalf, Raven, Clary, William, and Eragon.
It could be something as broad as something that encompasses human nature as a whole, or something a precise as unique trait that makes up who you are as an individual.
Through the creations of artists, play-writers, and authors we can answer the questions of identify and become self-aware in ways that would otherwise be harder or even impossible. I believe we can look past the shallow feelings of "like" or "dislike" and catch a glimpse or ourselves through the mirrors that are stories and fairy tales, and even through historical events and people long deceased.
Peace be with you,
Stephen
I know that I often find myself in the books that I'm reading. In the movies and TV shows I find myself clinging to characters and feeling as if I have some sort of tie to that character. The question is, why? I wondered for a time if perhaps my seeing myself in characters of a book was merely my self-centered nature coming out...me thinking of myself more than I should, but no. That is not the case. Within characters of fictitious origin and through their action or inaction we can discover ourselves. We can learn about who we are, who we are not, and who we wish we were.
As a part of my recent desire to be self-aware I decided to engage in a little exercise. I began analyzing my childhood favorites and began to search for answers as to why I loved them so much. What I found was very interesting. The following is a list of some favorite characters that I have held most dear and/or found connection with over the course of my life:
- Luke Skywalker (If you don't know what movie he's in...just stop reading and go educate yourself)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (Episode I version)
- Yoda (Duuuuhhhh)
- Gandalf (LoTR)
- Elrond (Also, LoTR)
- Eragon (Inheritance series)
- Raven (Teen Titans)
- Batman (but not Bruce Wayne...which I find interesting)
- William Herondale (The Infernal Devices series)
- Clary Fairchild (The Mortal Instruments series)
- Pretty much any of the main characters from Avatar: the Last Airbender (each one for a different reason)
Many of the characters I liked came from the desire to be wise and be a person others turn to for support and guidance (hence Yoda and Gandalf), while others seemed to embody the loneliness and the feeling of darkness within myself while desiring to be a person of light and good (Raven, Batman, William, etc.) and others still represented my desire to be someone that rose out of weakness and mediocrity to become a person of honor and a protector of life and justice (Clary, Luke, Eragon, etc).
Additionally, I found that I have a high view of words and language...almost to the point of believing that my words actually hold supernatural power (a doctrine often found in charismatic churches that I found appealing). This admiration for language and power in words only reinforced my love for the characters Gandalf, Raven, Clary, William, and Eragon.
If you don't know these characters that's ok. While it would be easier for you to grasp an understanding of me through the knowledge of these fictitious entities, they are not necessary. So what about you? What can you glean from exploring your own thoughts and emotions concerning books, movies, and the like? What can you achieve from taking the time to pick apart your favorite heroes and villains? Think of the cartoon characters you associated yourself with as a child; of the books you read and the stories you most loved and the ones you most hated. Why did you like them? Why did you hate them? You might find out something about yourself that you never knew.
Through the creations of artists, play-writers, and authors we can answer the questions of identify and become self-aware in ways that would otherwise be harder or even impossible. I believe we can look past the shallow feelings of "like" or "dislike" and catch a glimpse or ourselves through the mirrors that are stories and fairy tales, and even through historical events and people long deceased.
Peace be with you,
Stephen
