#WhiteKnightFAIL
My writer friends and family know I have a soft spot for "bad boy" heroes in fiction. I've tried to analyze why and have had some interesting insights into myself, but recently I had a major breakthrough.
I'm watching a series which is out of my norm, but have found myself hooked by the storyline...and the "bad boy". One night while watching a scene between "good guy" hero and heroine, I became aware of this odd feeling in my chest. A discomfort.
And then I recognized what it was.
Distrust.
That's right. I prefer "bad boys" because I distrust Knights in Shining Armor. You know, the good boy heroes who live atop a shining steed, so high in fact that I know their fall is going to be a hard one.
What I like is that while a "bad boy" starts in one place (usually empty, lonely, and ugly), I know that by the end of the story, the "bad boy" is going to have redemption. He's going to be happy at the end, and healthier.
The only place a bad boy can go is up. A shiny knight? Down. Takes the hope right out of the story for me.
So yes, it's twisted and I would never recommend a "bad boy" in real life, but in fiction I truly do adore that redemptive, finds-peace arc. Not to mention the excitement and challenge of it all. :-)
Which fictional "bad boy" do you love? And if you prefer "good boy" heroes, who is your favorite? Ever wondered why?
I'm watching a series which is out of my norm, but have found myself hooked by the storyline...and the "bad boy". One night while watching a scene between "good guy" hero and heroine, I became aware of this odd feeling in my chest. A discomfort.
And then I recognized what it was.
Distrust.
That's right. I prefer "bad boys" because I distrust Knights in Shining Armor. You know, the good boy heroes who live atop a shining steed, so high in fact that I know their fall is going to be a hard one.
What I like is that while a "bad boy" starts in one place (usually empty, lonely, and ugly), I know that by the end of the story, the "bad boy" is going to have redemption. He's going to be happy at the end, and healthier.
The only place a bad boy can go is up. A shiny knight? Down. Takes the hope right out of the story for me.
So yes, it's twisted and I would never recommend a "bad boy" in real life, but in fiction I truly do adore that redemptive, finds-peace arc. Not to mention the excitement and challenge of it all. :-)
Which fictional "bad boy" do you love? And if you prefer "good boy" heroes, who is your favorite? Ever wondered why?
Comments
And I totally wanted to marry a good boy, a preacher or missionary and um, I married a total reformed bad boy, he was so bad when I met him I actually asked my mother "do you think a guy could be this bad?" I still cringe sometimes when I say "Can you believe people actually do this?" and he gets a funny look on his face.
Patti and Sherrinda, it's horrible to say, but yes, they can be boring. Why is that? Shouldn't good be exciting? Maybe I'm equating good with less intensity? Hmmm. All food for thought. :-)
A too-perfect hero or heroine comes off as phoney to me. On the other hand, I'm not a fan of the bad boy hero.
Have a great weekend! :)
Back to the bad boy! ;-)
Dare I take a guess and say that series is Vampire Diaries? Great good boy/bad boy brothers and a girl love triangle.
@Gabrielle: Your twins are going to be some heart-breakin' bad boys!! Well, not in practice but in 'theory.' ;-)