User blog:Axis of Destruction/Story Behind the Plot: An analysis of Sympathetic Characters

So to start off, the comparisons in this article and topic are being presented as an example of themes, techniques, and different points of view in writing. I ask that the owners of the characters take this article with understanding.

Sympathetic Characters, and Unsympathetic Characters - A Basic Runthrough
Unlike the distinction of Good vs Evil, a Sympathetic Character is not always a good person, and an Unsympathic Character is not always an evil one. This is an effective way to add an element of grey to black and white story set ups, and have been used in countless mediums.

A Sympathic Character can be defined as a character who may have noticable flaws that cast a negative light on their morality or behavior in general, but are redeemed through some manner of their personality, actions, or mentality.

An example of this working as intended could be an uncle who strikes his nephew in a blind, uncontrollable fit of rage, but after the blood haze fades away, collapses in grief and horror at what they've done, but it's already too late. The nephew escapes the house and runs away in the dark of night, one single incident forever scarring them of the innocent love they previously held for their uncle, who now has to deal with the guilt of their actions, and sets out to find their nephew, not sure if they will ever see them again, nor if they will ever be forgiven.

The distinction behind this and an unsympathic character, or even an attempted but failed sympathic character, is that while the uncle is seen to have anger issues, and ultimately harms someone precious to them, it is made clear that they feel guilt for their actions and strive to redeem or better themselves. When it's clear that the flaws of a character are outmatched by a inner desire to right themselves, even if they clearly are struggling, that is when you have a character that can be seen as sympathic.

In contrast, an unsympathic character could be the same uncle, but told purely from the Child's perspective, and instead of knowing what the uncle wants as they search for the child, we have a veil that obscures their intentions in the form of first person perspective. You feel more for the Child, as it's impossible to know what's really in the Uncle's head, especially when no closure between them is offered- -the Child successfully escapes, never able to know the truth, and for all intensive purposes, that truth doesn't exist in this senario, because the truth was never revealed.

A failed Sympathic Character is seen when you take the idea of a sympathic character, and have more flaws than can be considered redeemable. Actions alone do not have to be present, but how the character is portrayed matters deeply. You can have a cruel character in practice be a lot more enjoyable and even sympathic if they have a charisma, some manner of personality beyond the life of the cruelty that shows their human side.

However, personalities have to be written exceptionally well to avoid the lack of redeeming actions. The Uncle in the same story as before can still have their perspective be told in this case,  but their motivations while seemingly seeking forgiveness, still fails when the anger is shown to repeat itself and the character never truly learns, yet bemoans to themself about their sins none the less. We're shown they 'feel sorry', but then continue doing what they do. This falls into a more abusive character, and is far less relatable.

In the next section, I will be discussing examples of this in other stories, and in a little while, how it works (and doesn't) in TZ.

More to come.