Subjective Characterization a.k.a. Are Bad Things Really Bad?
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| Title: | Subjective Characterization a.k.a. Are Bad Things Really Bad? |
| Creator: | GenX |
| Date(s): | June 27, 2000 |
| Medium: | online |
| Fandom: | |
| Topic: | Fanfiction |
| External Links: | Subjective Characterization a.k.a. Are Bad Things Really Bad?/WebCite |
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Subjective Characterization a.k.a. Are Bad Things Really Bad? is an essay by GenX.
It is part of the Fanfic Symposium series.
Excerpts
I'm writing in reference to the column by Lucy entitled "When Bad Things Happen to Good Characters".I fail to argue point one since it states fact. As for point two, I begin:
Know this, I am self admitted h/c fan. Saying such, one angst fan to another, on some level you must realize that essentially our very capable characters (Obi-Wan, Iolaus, and yes to some extent Blair) must be portrayed in situations which, to quote a cliché, have overwhelming odds. Otherwise, our boys would be more than capable to take care of themselves leaving us the lovers, no outlet for our h/c desires.
That being said, I refute, to some extent, point two: "character is completely incapable of acting in his own defense in the slightest." Two out of three stories you referenced (I neglect to have read the third, but Hercules fan fic isn't my bag) have the characters actually taking a stand. Obi-Wan fights against rapers/captors and Blair...well...he actually shoots a man, which sets off the whole spiral. (Not to mention that while people or characters are under the influence they're not in the right to begin with.)
So is it a question not of lack of defense but of lack of defiance?