Viewing Characters Complexly: The Sexist Trap I'm Tired of Seeing
John Green, young adult novelist and one half of the internet phenomenon known as the VlogBrothers, has this thing about viewing people complexly. He argues, basically, that we have to view the people around us as complete human beings with thoughts and motivations and flaws every bit as real as our own
( Read more... )
And when it comes to real life, this is a major difference between me and my own mum. I'm pretty forgiving of people's day-to-day behaviour because, let's face it, who hasn't had a bad day? Or a blind spot about one particular issue? Or is just too tired to deal? Or just plain makes a mistake or bad choice? Who hasn't done that? And it's always the first thing I try to think of, before getting angry-there's probably a perfectly good reason for this person acting that way. My mom? Not so much. She holds every single person on the planet to the same really ridiculous standard she holds herself to (and which results in her terminal self-hatred). And that's just not fair.
With fictional characters, I've found that my spectrum isn't between "love" and "hate", it's between "interested (ergo, love)" and "not interested." I can't hate fictional characters. I don't understand fandom misogyny. It feels like it's often something really deep, like brain-stem level. I wish someone would study it, honestly, because I think that'd be really interesting. But I doubt anyone ever will.
Reply
I hate characters. Not actively, or anything. I'm not going to, like, join an "I hate River Song" club or graffiti "Tessa must die" on nearby walls. (Yikes, and that was two women. Here, have Draco Malfoy.) I hate characters who do things that make me mad, that I find it irksome to read about/watch, etc. Maybe this is disinterest? I just feel disinterest is something like "having no feelings toward," (like, idk, Elton, or Bridge Bunny B) whereas, I do find myself thinking while watching Torchwood episodes, "Man, Owen is irritating."
Reply
Leave a comment