question

[rwx]

Today's questions:

Do you typically enjoy reading stories or books where you're similar to the protagonist?

Do you typically enjoy watching movies or tv shows where you're similar to the protagonist?

Are there fictional characters that you think you're like? Any like you that you don't enjoy reading about?

based on things that bosstweed and owenthomas have said/written, although Owen said his part a long time ago. I'd be seriously interested in finding out people's answers.

Comments

[wire-mother.livejournal.com]

sure, but identification isn't a prerequisite for enjoyment for me. so long as the characters are well-drawn, the situation is interesting, and the writing at least reasonably harmonious, then the story, movie, whatever will be worthwhile. examples: i have no identification with any character in the new Battlestar Galactica, but still think it's the best thing on tv right now. in Tim Powers' novel On Stranger Tides i can't think of any character with whom i find any similarities, but i still think it's one of the best genre novels i've read. The Godfather not only has no characters i identify with, but i actually detest all of the people portrayed (well, detestation mixed with a respect for their ideals. i have a complicated view of the people in that story). this doesn't keep it from being one of the best movies ever made.

[marc17.livejournal.com]

What do you mean by "similar"? Do I really want to read or watch stuff about a depressed 30-something computer tech? Not really. I want my entertainment media to be escapism. Do I want to read or watch something with protagonists that I identify with, share traits with, would want to be in another life, or know as friends? Sure. Protagonists who I don't relate to or exhibit traits I don't have or consider stupid are sure to make me cheer for the antagonist.

[vorona.livejournal.com]

I strongly prefer a protagonist who's similar to me, but I also enjoy a little stretch with dissimilarities. My most preferred would be most like me, though, I realize.

[peglegpete.livejournal.com]

Do you typically enjoy reading stories or books where you're similar to the protagonist?
Do you typically enjoy watching movies or tv shows where you're similar to the protagonist?

If they're well-crafted and interesting stories with well-crafted and interesting characters, then yes.

Are there fictional characters that you think you're like? Any like you that you don't enjoy reading about?

Not particularly in either case.

[bosstweed.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

More descriptively, the protagonist doesn't have to be like me generally, but I can live with it if that's the case. When I'm reading stuff purely for escapist purposes, then it's either people like me or wish-fulfillment versions of me.

While I have a hard time with some fiction where I don't identify at all with anyone in the book, it's a pretty rare book where that happens. I generally have to be in the mood for it, and in those situations, I'm generally in the mood for something where the characters are ciphers, or unimportant.

[brokensymmetry.livejournal.com]

A friend replied to one of my earlier entries with a recommendation for Questionable Content. I've been going through the archives and enjoying it quite a bit, but at some point earlier today it struck me how entirely unlike myself any of the characters are. I then realized that I couldn't name a single character in any medium whom I would consider "like me" in any significant way. Maybe Daria came close.

So I think I would like reading something where I'm similar to the protagonist, but the opportunity has never come up, and that hasn't stopped me from enjoying all sorts of things.

[(Anonymous)]

How about Cryptonomicon?

[rwx.livejournal.com]

that was me, whoops.

[marc17.livejournal.com]

Actually, I found that book really boring. Of course, that was more of me wanting some sort of Science Fiction rather than a geeky thriller. With the Baroque series and the alchemical mystery of Mr. Root, I find myself warming to that book also. For me to really forgive, he'll have to come out with a sci-fi trilogy that comes after Cryptonomicon.

[kbuxton.livejournal.com]

Argh. I made the mistake of clicking that link BEFORE finishing my homework.. I just read the whole series..

*sigh*

Going to be a long night.

[madcap-allie.livejournal.com]

Do you typically enjoy reading stories or books where you're similar to the protagonist?

I'm reading this question as: "Do you enjoy stories/books when you identify with the protagonist?" without an implied "as opposed to those where you're totally unlike the main character."

For those stories where I identify with the main character, I usually enjoy them if the similarity is in general life outlook, as opposed to specifics of my career/appearance/background/lifestyle. And I enjoy them more if things work out for that character without them having to change their fundamental belief system.

This isn't medium-specific.

Are there fictional characters that you think you're like? Any like you that you don't enjoy reading about?

Given that my LJ username is based on a character I identified with rather strongly during my formational years, I'd have to say yes to the first question. For the second, there certainly have been stories where characters that I think are like me get shafted by their authors, and I don't like that.

[frosch.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'm particularly good at identifying fictional characters that are similar to myself.

I can remember two novels, though, that were so pathos-laden that I found myself hardly able to finish them: Maugham's Of Human Bondage and Dreiser's An American Tragedy.

Hardy is one of my favorite authors for other reasons, although he tends closely enough to this general direction that I occasionally find him depressing.

In general, I find myself not watching most of the movies that are screened around here (i.e., in my living room and den), at least in part because I identify too strongly with victims of violence and the foolish decisions of others that I find them tedious if not downright unpleasant.

I was reading Maugham and Dreiser while the first marriage was falling apart. I wonder if that has something to do with my reaction.

[rackletang.livejournal.com]

I like characters who challenge my capacity for empathy. That's why I read mostly nonfiction.

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

I can't think of any story or book where i'm similar to the protagonist, with the exception of the proto-novel i'm writing.