Empathetic vs Likable
Comments in a previous post got me thinking about the kinds of characters who pull us into a story.
They're not always likable.
You probably saw my comment, but the first guy who came to mind was Melvin Udall (aka Jack Nicholson) in the movie As Good As It Gets.
Not the kind of guy you want in your family, or even in your apartment building, but he was portrayed in such a way that the audience (moi) felt empathy for him. Who wouldn't feel bad for a guy who's trapped by his self-made limitations?
Not likable, but I rooted for him, as well as the other characters, and though it's been years I haven't forgotten them. Still not sure whether I like Melvin though.
Can you think of a character you didn't really like, but you rooted for anyway? Ever wrote one of those? And if the character is both likable and empathetic, does that make the story stronger?
They're not always likable.
You probably saw my comment, but the first guy who came to mind was Melvin Udall (aka Jack Nicholson) in the movie As Good As It Gets.
Not the kind of guy you want in your family, or even in your apartment building, but he was portrayed in such a way that the audience (moi) felt empathy for him. Who wouldn't feel bad for a guy who's trapped by his self-made limitations?
Not likable, but I rooted for him, as well as the other characters, and though it's been years I haven't forgotten them. Still not sure whether I like Melvin though.
Can you think of a character you didn't really like, but you rooted for anyway? Ever wrote one of those? And if the character is both likable and empathetic, does that make the story stronger?
Comments
Hi Jody, studying these writers is a great idea! It takes talent to make someone root for an unlikable characters. YOu're so right that it's wise to study them.
Hi MaryBeth,
It's been really a long time since I read that book, but I remember not liking them much either. Hmmm...I might have to break it out. Thanks for mentioning them.
I never liked Heathcliff, and I can't seem to rally sympathy for him. He is cruel, obsessive, and controlling...and curses God as I recall.
I've written some not-so-likable characters as well.
I thinkt he key is to give them at least one redeeming quality.
Hmmm, it's been so long that I don't know about those two characters, but I have heard lots of people rooting for Scarlett. As for Heathcliff, can't remember much about him.
Hi Katy,
Oh yes, Julia. :-) I rooted for her too, kept hoping she'd change somehow... Great example!
Same with the main male character in "Pride and Prejudice."
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I think House is an unlikable hero. Some of the things he does drive you nuts but in the end you root for him, especially when there are opportunities for him to become a little bit more human or a pathway to happiness opens up. You want him to take it, but in the end he rarely does.
I do like when these characters show up in any medium. They create a sort of distaste for everyone else and makes you want to follow them. I guess it makes these folks in some sort of way charismatic. Charisma and charm does pull people towards who normally most people may consider aholes.
As for my own stuff, I'm writing an Irish character right now that although he's the antagonist, is so darned charming I find myself rather liking him, until his evil side comes to surface and I remember that he's a slime. But I'm not rooting for him; I still want the real hero to get the girl. :-)
Of course, my mom and sister said they just didn't like her at all and couldn't connect with her. Guess it depends on the person.
I am writing a character that I think I will have a hard time liking. As a human, she's a bit on the self centered side and can be a bit obsessive too. Of course I don't like her in her "monster" form, but knowing her history, especially what happens to her before she becomes the Yuki-onna, I can't help but feel bad for her and understand why she turns into what she is.
A LOT of movies I end up not liking because I find the characters unlikable. Did you ever see Tropic Thunder? I felt like everyone in that movie was disgusting and completely unredeemable...and thus, I hated the movie. It ended up getting huge critical acclaim and even being nominated for some Oscars but I just couldn't get past the characters.
regarding a novel I've read, I'll have to think about that.
Didn't Emma play the serious one? It's been so long since I saw that movie. Definitely need to see it again! I'll be popping by your place later. :-)
Hmmm, antihero is close but I'm not sure it's the same either. Although an antihero would def. be empathetic. I read somewhere that Batman is an antihero.???
Thanks for stopping by!
Okay, now that everyone's mentioning him I know I'm going to have to reread the story. The first time I read it I didn't like it. We'll see how it goes this time around.
Hi Jeannie,
Ooh, I'm jealous you got to read that! I love how Connealy writes. :-)
Dara,
I've seen the movie but never read the book. I wonder if she comes off as more likable in the novel? Interesting about your character.
I thought it was gross that she was with him. I liked the characters of each, but I didn't think there was a good chemistry between them, not to mention the age gap.
I've never seen Tropic Thunder, but now I want to go look it up. An unlikable character has to be empathetic, I think. If we don't feel for them, then we hate them.
I didn't know Mr. Darcy wasn't likable at first. I've only seen the movie. :-)
T. Anne,
Isn't it fun when we fall for our characters? LOL!
One character I found sympathetic but not immediately likable is Sarah/Angel in Francine River's Redeeming Love. She treats Michael Hosea terribly, and I ache for this incredibly godly man. However, since I know her past, I understand why she's acting the way she is. In the end, through God's redeeming love, she becomes a very likable character.
That's a great example with Angel. It made me cringe for Michael, but at the same time Rivers' did a really good job of letting us into Angel's pain. The prologue was probably set up for that too.
Whenever I read a Susan Elizabeth Phillips book, I almost always hate the heroine or hero--or both! It's a given that I'm used to. LOL! Then... she spinkles her magic dust on the pages and I suddenly love those characters about half way thorugh until the end.
She's amazing.
I really like your new picture. You beam.