Torn
I have a major character who is going to make a decision which will turn him from a hero to a villian. (Or as my son would say, "a bad guy!")
I'm torn.
I want him to bear responsibility for his own fall. He makes the choice unaware of the ultimate consequences -- he doesn't become a villain all at once. But he does make the choice.
At the same time, I also want the reader to retain sympathy for him as he descends into darkness, and even when he is called upon to do terrible things, understand why he is doing them (at least, how he justifies them).
Should I have him make his initial choice -- which sends him down the "wrong" path -- already be for selfish reaons, or for altruistic reasons?
I'm torn.
I want him to bear responsibility for his own fall. He makes the choice unaware of the ultimate consequences -- he doesn't become a villain all at once. But he does make the choice.
At the same time, I also want the reader to retain sympathy for him as he descends into darkness, and even when he is called upon to do terrible things, understand why he is doing them (at least, how he justifies them).
Should I have him make his initial choice -- which sends him down the "wrong" path -- already be for selfish reaons, or for altruistic reasons?
Comments
Sometimes, good people do bad things - I believe this was a line from a Grey's Anatomy episode. The character was trying to justify his/her actions. The line stuck with me.
People (characters) sometimes make a choice out of anger that has far reaching consequences. Sometimes, a choice made out of guilt has horrible consequences. So, even though your character made the choice that set him on the path of darkness . . . well, if the motivations are clear, the intent behind the choice is clear, then I would think (hope) the reader would have sympathy for the character.
S
Originally, I introduced this character as a straight-up villain, only revealing his good intentions later on. In this version, I introduce his good qualities first, and I worry I may have gone over the top in making him seem *too* good.
ps: waiting for you post on beta bloggers :)
Selfish reasons are sometimes better. Because not everyone is altruistic all the time. People who are selfish, yet still give me a reason to like them are rare, and I would like to see more of that.
In any case, now I am really curious to see what this story's all about. :-)