Two authors argue different sides, and I prefer the second one.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/books/review/can-a-virtuous-character-be-interesting.html?_r=0
Two authors argue different sides, and I prefer the second one.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/books/review/can-a-virtuous-character-be-interesting.html?_r=0
I also prefer the second
I also prefer the second
Well only the second actually answers the question. Which is “yes, they can”. But that doesn’t mean all virtuous characters are interesting.
I would suggest that it’s much harder to write an interesting virtuous character. Requires more talent.
But then, what’s virtuous? Are we talking about the seven virtues? A “woman’s virtue” (the first guy seemed fixated on that one)? Or just “trying to do good”?
If it’s the latter even anti-heroes do that – because they’re always up against someone worse. “Doing good” is relative.
Personally I believe, as writers, we are in the business of hope. That by the time they get to the end of a book readers have a little more hope than when they went in. The idea that perhaps things could be better than they are.
Well only the second actually answers the question. Which is “yes, they can”. But that doesn’t mean all virtuous characters are interesting.
I would suggest that it’s much harder to write an interesting virtuous character. Requires more talent.
But then, what’s virtuous? Are we talking about the seven virtues? A “woman’s virtue” (the first guy seemed fixated on that one)? Or just “trying to do good”?
If it’s the latter even anti-heroes do that – because they’re always up against someone worse. “Doing good” is relative.
Personally I believe, as writers, we are in the business of hope. That by the time they get to the end of a book readers have a little more hope than when they went in. The idea that perhaps things could be better than they are.
Is it possible to portray virtue without depicting vice? Isn’t being virtuous about the inner struggle with one’s own personal failings?
Is it possible to portray virtue without depicting vice? Isn’t being virtuous about the inner struggle with one’s own personal failings?
Absolutely, John Ward. The discussion is about whether it can be interesting to watch someone win that struggle.
Absolutely, John Ward. The discussion is about whether it can be interesting to watch someone win that struggle.
It seemed to me that Mallon picked characters that were relatively static, who didn’t DO very much. Of course that’s generally boring, and doesn’t have much to do with being “good” either.
It seemed to me that Mallon picked characters that were relatively static, who didn’t DO very much. Of course that’s generally boring, and doesn’t have much to do with being “good” either.
Yes, I think he was taking a definition of “good” which is “doesn’t do anything bad”. And then points to them not being proactive and says, “See? See?”
Yes, I think he was taking a definition of “good” which is “doesn’t do anything bad”. And then points to them not being proactive and says, “See? See?”
Virtue is a value judgment, different to every person judging. And, in my opinion, all characters should have goods and bads because who is to say that are not being virtuous when in some eyes they are bad?
Virtue is a value judgment, different to every person judging. And, in my opinion, all characters should have goods and bads because who is to say that are not being virtuous when in some eyes they are bad?
Epic fantasy has heroes close to pure, villains sitting on stereotype. The orphan boy with great, untapped power goes up against a liche: questions of virtue and vice are well sorted. But that’s at the end- along the way, I thought it interesting to follow the young man as he matures, as he acquires the courage and more importantly the sense of duty it took to take on the seemingly-hopeless fight. OTOH, the villain got very short shrift. I’m not interested in him, full stop. The first author would have me do a “Wicked” variant of the story in which we start out agreeing that, sure, everyone wants to live forever… oy.
Epic fantasy has heroes close to pure, villains sitting on stereotype. The orphan boy with great, untapped power goes up against a liche: questions of virtue and vice are well sorted. But that’s at the end- along the way, I thought it interesting to follow the young man as he matures, as he acquires the courage and more importantly the sense of duty it took to take on the seemingly-hopeless fight. OTOH, the villain got very short shrift. I’m not interested in him, full stop. The first author would have me do a “Wicked” variant of the story in which we start out agreeing that, sure, everyone wants to live forever… oy.