Lesson 29. Empathy Markers│The Mechanics of Fiction Writing

How Character Actions Shape Reader Impressions

The Complexity of Character Interpretation

• The way characters act significantly influences readers' perceptions, emphasizing the importance of character actions in storytelling.

• Interpreting human actions is complex; for instance, Lawrence's action of putting out matches with his fingers can evoke various interpretations from readers.

• Readers may empathize or despise a character based on their actions, highlighting the nuanced relationship between character behavior and reader emotions.

Empathy Markers: Defining Character Perception

• Tom Buchanan from The Great Gatsby serves as an example of how descriptive introductions shape reader impressions through negative traits.

• Fitzgerald’s portrayal of Buchanan includes physical descriptions and behaviors that establish him as a loathsome character early on.

• Directly rude and violent actions further cement Buchanan's role as a villain, making it clear to readers that he is designed to be hated.

Techniques for Creating Loathsome Characters

• To effectively make readers dislike a character, they should engage in overtly negative actions (e.g., kicking a dog), which elicits strong emotional responses.

• This approach may seem cynical but is part of the art of storytelling; creating empathy markers can guide reader feelings toward characters.

Identifying Negative Empathy Markers

• The speaker introduces "empathy markers," which are defined as specific actions that influence how characters are perceived—either positively or negatively.

• A list of negative empathy markers includes arrogance, bullying, deceit, unwarranted violence, racism, rudeness, and cruelty.

• Characters exhibiting these traits become more negatively marked when their victims are portrayed as helpless.

Building Complex Characters

• While one-dimensional characters like Tom Buchanan serve specific narrative purposes, deeper layers can enhance complexity in storytelling.

• Positive empathy markers can also be employed to create sympathetic characters who evoke warmth or pity from readers.

Examples of Positive Empathy Markers

• An example from Planet of the Apes illustrates how small acts of kindness (like a gorilla placing a flower in a girl's hair) can mark characters as sympathetic despite their intimidating appearances.

Understanding Empathy Markers in Fiction

The Role of Empathy in Storytelling

• Discusses various themes such as compassion, vulnerability, and courage that serve as empathy markers in storytelling. These elements are crucial for connecting readers emotionally with characters.

Jane Eyre: A Case Study

• References Jane Eyre's experience at school, highlighting her feelings of shame and isolation as an orphan. This sets the stage for understanding how empathy is evoked through character experiences.

• Describes a pivotal moment when another girl, Helen Burns, offers a glance that uplifts Jane. This interaction illustrates the power of small acts of kindness to convey deep emotional connections.

Character Development and Empathy Markers

• Highlights Helen Burns' virtuous nature and how her smile symbolizes true courage and intellect. This emphasizes the importance of secondary characters in enhancing the main character's journey.

• Critiques the manipulation of reader emotions by authors like Brontë, suggesting that effective storytelling often involves clear delineation between good and bad characters through empathy markers.

The Balance of Goodness in Characters

• Explains that while empathy markers can guide reader sentiment towards characters, overusing them can lead to uninteresting portrayals. Suspense is essential for maintaining reader engagement.

• Introduces one-dimensional characters like Helen Burns and Tom Buchanan from great literature, noting their roles as supporting figures rather than protagonists.

Flawed Heroes vs. Mary Sues

• Discusses the concept of "Mary Sue" characters—those who are overly perfect—which detracts from suspense and interest in narratives.

• Provides examples from Star Trek fan fiction where Mary Sue saves the day effortlessly, illustrating why such characters can be unsatisfying to audiences.

Creating Compelling Characters

• Argues that flawed heroes (e.g., Han Solo) are more relatable because they possess vulnerabilities yet show growth throughout their arcs. Their complexity adds depth to storytelling.

• Emphasizes how flawed heroes create suspense by challenging expectations; readers become invested in whether these characters will rise to meet challenges or fail despite their potential.

Conclusion on Empathy Markers

• Suggests using empathy markers judiciously to evoke genuine emotion without falling into clichés or predictability.

Understanding the Porous Borders of Literary and Genre Fiction

The Nature of Genre vs. Literary Fiction

• The discussion on genre fiction versus literary fiction is complex, with a need for superficial analysis to clarify concepts while acknowledging that both forms share fundamental ideas.

• The distinction between literary and popular genres is not rigid; it is described as a "porous border," indicating overlap where literary works can adopt genre conventions and vice versa.

• Historical legal cases, such as Giacobbe Ellis v. Ohio (1964), highlight challenges in defining obscenity versus art, emphasizing the difficulty in categorizing creative works.

Defining Literary Merit

• Justice Potter Stewart's famous quote about pornography—"I know it when I see it"—reflects the subjective nature of defining artistic merit, paralleling struggles faced by literary critics.

• A notable trial in England regarding Lady Chatterley's Lover involved prominent literary figures who also struggled to articulate what constitutes "literary merit."

Exploring Human Condition Through Stories

• The speaker suggests that stories can be categorized based on their intent: whether they entertain or explore deeper human experiences.

• For example, genre romances focus primarily on sexual situations for entertainment, while literary works use sex to delve into complex emotional themes.

Complexity of Characters in Literature

• Literary narratives often prioritize character depth over clear hero-villain dichotomies; characters embody traits from both sides, complicating traditional storytelling frameworks.

• This complexity allows for richer storytelling where characters are not simply good or bad but rather multifaceted individuals facing moral ambiguities.

Empathy Markers in Character Development

• Modern literary fiction tends to lack straightforward heroes or villains; instead, characters exhibit mixed traits that challenge readers' perceptions.