6/23/09

Today in class we talked about how the main character is not very well described. We touched on it why we thought he was not well described a little bit, but I'd like to further my thoughts on the subject. Since the author poorly depicts the characters mannerisms and personal appearance, it is easier to come up with your own image of what his characteristics are. Often people add their own personal qualities to different characters in novels to make them seem relatable when the characters are not given adequate descriptions. Subconsciously it is easy to live vicariously through a character in novels. So for example, when we discussed in class all the different things that had happened in the novel so far, and it seemed horrific, but while reading it, it was easy not to feel that way because the author did not mention any emotions the characters had towards the events that occurred, allowing us to make our feelings upon the issue also be the feelings for the character. Therefore, making the character more and more relatable to ourselves, or in some cases someone that we may know. This can also add to the reason why people continue to read detective novels. It is almost as if it’s an egotistical habit to bring everything back to yourself, and creating a novel about yourself that is really about a fictional character that does not exist.
-Monica