How much would you sacrifice for a brother?
Altruism (from Latin: alter: the other) is the deliberate pursuit of the interests or welfare of others or the public interest.
When I started writing/reading fanfics I developed a kind of abhorrence for the altruistic character. You know, those kind of characters who are so self sacrificing it makes you want to puke? And that extends to all characters from movies, novels, TV shows... you name it. Especially those Korean drama heroines. The weepy self sacrificing heroine who just can't say no and who gets bullied by the bitchy evil other woman. I think it's about time that people realize most human beings just are not designed that way.
We human beings are selfish.
That might sound blunt but we are, whether you want to believe it or not.
I have never in my lifetime met anyone who would sacrifice their all for someone else. (Parents are a different story)
But honestly, are you really willing to put aside your own life for another's happiness? Most of the time that does not happen.
So that brings me to the next question - why the hell is my character of Jun, the eldest brother in 'Brother of Mine' so god damn altruistic??
I really don't understand it myself.
You would think someone dying of brain cancer would be slightly more selfish but Jun is like the definition of all that is good in the world.
I've given his character a lot of thought and no matter how I draft and redraft the story, his character refuses to give up that characteristic. I would like to think that I have more control over my story. (It's MY story goddamnit) but Jun's character is showing me a different side of my own writing - the fact that sometimes stories are the way they are simply because they are...
And Jun is simply that - a reminder of all that is good in the world.
My own life might not witness that kind of selflessness but I think it wouldn't hurt me to be a lot less cynical and simple allow the characters to grow as they see fit.
When I started writing/reading fanfics I developed a kind of abhorrence for the altruistic character. You know, those kind of characters who are so self sacrificing it makes you want to puke? And that extends to all characters from movies, novels, TV shows... you name it. Especially those Korean drama heroines. The weepy self sacrificing heroine who just can't say no and who gets bullied by the bitchy evil other woman. I think it's about time that people realize most human beings just are not designed that way.
We human beings are selfish.
That might sound blunt but we are, whether you want to believe it or not.
I have never in my lifetime met anyone who would sacrifice their all for someone else. (Parents are a different story)
But honestly, are you really willing to put aside your own life for another's happiness? Most of the time that does not happen.
So that brings me to the next question - why the hell is my character of Jun, the eldest brother in 'Brother of Mine' so god damn altruistic??
I really don't understand it myself.
You would think someone dying of brain cancer would be slightly more selfish but Jun is like the definition of all that is good in the world.
I've given his character a lot of thought and no matter how I draft and redraft the story, his character refuses to give up that characteristic. I would like to think that I have more control over my story. (It's MY story goddamnit) but Jun's character is showing me a different side of my own writing - the fact that sometimes stories are the way they are simply because they are...
And Jun is simply that - a reminder of all that is good in the world.
My own life might not witness that kind of selflessness but I think it wouldn't hurt me to be a lot less cynical and simple allow the characters to grow as they see fit.