[squarebarb]

Subject for today -- the hero. One sort of hero I always liked is the come-from-behind hero. Like Sydney Carton, a completed unexpected heroic action from someone who seems like a loser.

[carton253]

Sydney Carton is my absolute favorite character in literature. I like the fact that Dickens doesn't present any background on him. We don't know why his life is "ruined" by drink. He is intelligent, loyal, and loves so powerfully. This is the type of person who should not be ruined.

I never considered him a come from behind hero. He was my favorite from the time he looked behind him, saw Mr. Darnay, sat up in his chair, and wadded up the note to Stryver. (Is that his name...fuzzy memory) But I think you could describe him as such.

I love him. He's the carton in my name. When I signed up for FR, I didn't realize what all went into the screen name. If I did, I would have been Sydney Carton.

The other hero I like is Jean Valjean. I will write more tomorrow since I am dashing between classes.

I also think Samwise Gamgee is another great hero in literature.

Everyone keep the conversation going...

[JamesP81]

Righters ping. Subject today is creating a heroic character.

This is personally my favorite kind of character, and they come in many forms. Of course the traditional hero type character in my mind is something along the lines of Maximus in Gladiator or Aragorn in Lord of the Rings. OTOH, courage comes in more than one way and sometimes heroic characters don't come in this larger than life package.

One of the best ways to put a good subplot in is to have a very flawed heroic character. It gives you a fertile ground to work with when your hero secretly fears that he's no better than the opponent he faces.