Friday, August 12, 2011

Bonding with a Literary Character

Though writing is largely a solitary activity, the writer literally lives on an island, scrawling away on sheets, or, typing furiously, isolated from family and friends for long  and painful stretches of time, it’s also one activity that connects with a  vast number of people (readers) instantly.

Our books act as the  bridge that  links us to people who  bring their unique sensibilities to our work. I agree with another writer who said, “books like water will find their own level.”  Books are open to interpretations any which way. The characters that we have nurtured inside our feverish minds find other dimensions when they meet the readers.    

 Different readers glean different nuggets of wisdom  from a literary character/book,  depending on their personal perception. Whatever the reason for the bond between book\protagonist and the reader, the important aspect is that an emotional connection has been forged. A literary kindred spirit discovered. A relationship formed. These connections between reader and character are the barometers of the real success of a book. Not the number of copies sold, nor the clutch of awards won. Readers afterall are the best critics, and their appreciation, the real award.

To create a literary character that firmly entrenches itself into a reader’s mind is an extremely difficult task. A memorable literary character  must appeal to each and every sense of the reader, not just tug,  but play with  their heartstrings, seduce them away from the million and one things clamouring for their attention, entice them into the world woven by the writer. Memorable literary characters leave strong  traces of their presence inside  a reader’s mind long after the book has been devoured. In the history of books there  have been several such characters: Anna Karenina, Jane Eyre, Lata Mehra from Vikram Seth’s  ‘A Suitable Boy,’ to name  just a few.

 A  character can achieve literary  immortality if there is a strong sense of Empathy and Sympathy between the reader and the literary character. Because, when we empathize, or, sympathize with someone, albeit a literary character, concern for their well being creeps in, a reluctant love develops. The warp and the weft of the reader’s life then entwines with the character’s. This ability of a character  to attract the twin emotions  mentioned earlier encourages the readers to be quasi participants rather than distant indifferent observers.

The  character must invoke the feeling of oneness, there has to be a sense of similarity of  experiences, similarity of emotions, of choices made, paths chosen, sacrifices done  between the reader and character. These  aspects further cement the reader-character bond.

To create such characters is every writer’s dream. The character then becomes the voice of that generation of readers, a kind of a role model. There is a complete sense of identity between the  reader and the literary character. “Hey that could be   me, it’s is the story of my life,” the delighted reader nods his/her head. These  characters  are not only inspirational, they gently urge the readers to aspire for greater glories by  acting as catalysts of change in the readers’ lives, and also, silently beckon the readers to visit them again and again.

Isn’t this a measure  of a successfully created character? What makes you all bond with a literary character?

P.S. Due to a hectic schedule (festival, assignments and critique sessions and few other personal commitments I am reposting my first blog post. I had just 2 followers then and the post was read by just 2 people. 



17 comments:

  1. What a lovely first post, Rachna. I loved reading your take on what makes few literary characters connect with readers and why few others don't make that connection. Thanks for sharing this gem. We would have missed it.

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  2. Great post. Loved reading it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on what makes for literary characters that bond with readers.

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  3. This is so true. Characters are my favorite part of novels. I can't read a novel if the character isn't engaging. I don't necessarily have to have a connection or relate with the character, but there must be some kind of spark. I hope to write compelling character readers love to read about!

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  4. It’s actually very rare for me to bond with a literary character even my own. I’m acutely aware that what I’m reading is a work of fiction and these people aren’t real. That said there have been one or two when I was younger like Salinger’s Holden Caulfield although when I reread the book in my forties I couldn’t see the attraction. About a year ago I watched the old film version of Billy Liar and found myself tearing up at the end. I first read Billy Liar about the same time as Catcher in the Rye and I’ve always linked the books in my head. So, why should I still feel a connection to Billy and not Holden? I think nationality is the main thing. I now know a lot more about the world than I did as a young teenager and have a better, a more rounded picture of what the two characters would have been like. When I first read them all I could see were two lost – albeit in their own ways – kids. Now I realise that I was never anything like Holden but I still empathise with Billy; Holden runs away whereas Billy only ran away in his head and that’s what I was like as a kid. So, you’re right, you have to be able to empathise with the character but even more than that, you have to see yourself in him.

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  5. Although I don't think writers are "literally" on island, I do get your point and concur wholeheartedly. It's funny just how real the world of books cane become:)

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  6. Ha ha ha.....sometimes I think life is very difficult as a writer but when I read some book I just can't stop appreciating the way writer creates the character.

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  7. You know, it's funny just how extroverted an introverted writer has to become in our media-filled world. That island doesn't exist anymore. Not when a fan connects with your characters, or your world and instantly assumes that you, the writer, will understand their wounded psyche. Poor Salinger was never able to get far enough away from his adoring public.
    As far as what makes me "connect," I need to respect the hero's intelligence, enjoy their sense of humor and/OR stand in awe of their heroism or humanity before I can really get behind the character. Once I love this person, I can forgive them quite a lot, but I want to seem them emerge from a need for my forgiveness. I want to see them rise above it.

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  8. Good point. We have to identify with the character. They have to seem real to us before they take on a life of their own.
    If a character behaves too much out of character then that connection can break for me.

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  9. Great post!

    Not only do I have to sympathize and/or empathize with a character, I have to respect them in some way. There are many characters in books that I would have liked if I had found something redeeming about them, but I did not.

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  10. Thank you!

    I was wondering 'what' & 'how'should i be creating my characters' in my project. But your timely intervention has saved the day.

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  11. I'm glad you reposted this because it's great. I respond most to strong characters, the battlers.

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  12. Great post, Rachna. Glad you reposted this, else we would have missed it.Very well written for a first post, but it doesn't surprise me, as you are a great writer.

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  13. I love those kind of characters, ones where you honestly and genuinely care about what happens to them because you see a little bit of you in them.

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  14. Beautifully said. And it's amazing how some people will connect with a character, and other readers won't. I just finished a book that I absolutely loved, and went on to Goodreads and read several negative comments. You just never know how your work will impact others.

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  15. Great post! I think that is a huge success, if you can write (or imagine) a character to whom you can truly bond.

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  16. What a shame that only two people originally read this post. It's wonderful - and it's WHY I read! I think this is the beauty of written word - that "books are open to interpretations any which way." We all strive to create those empathetic characters, indeed. One who resonates with me is one who shows perseverance and fortitude.

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  17. Heroics and sacrifice. Nothing endears me to a character more than those traits.

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