#morally complex characters

[unheardoracle]

I love characters who are like "I'm a terrible person" but when you look closer it's more like

"I adapted to survive something and now I don't know how to stop being that version of myself."

[sidoniemoon]

The most insane takes I've seen coming out of the TADC finale discourse is how some ppl are treating Jax like s/he's Russell Brand or Andy Dick or some other irl celebrity with allegations attached to them, and therefore should never have gotten a redemption arc... something that somehow warrants a bad review. Also calling her/him an "abuser" or "misogynist"- as if they're terms we can throw around so casually (they're not)- instead of, idk, a run-of-the-mill bully at most. Can we not have our fun with morally flawed fictional characters anymore?

[queerlingkits]

Talia realizing her young child has more strength to stand for what he believes in and being happy she gave him to Bruce but also being unwilling/able to do the same until Damian is in danger again is so just-- ahhhh (specifically in The Boy Wonder). But Damian also reflecting on the fact that he has the support system that she doesn't (very explicitly because she made the decision to give him that support system) contrasted with her struggle to accept his newfound refusal to kill which slowly morphs into not just an understanding, but a moment where she agrees enough to do the same. Talia al Ghul, the woman that you are.

I freaking adore Talia al Ghul and I am happy to fight someone on that.

[viridianartsblog]

I like drawing my hyperfixations, but I’m not sure how well combining all of them would turn out. Right now, in terms of books, it’s Elain and Azriel from ACOTAR—I think it’s the sweetest thing—but from there it’s completely the opposite. Like, I’m a fan of anime, horror movies (especially slasher), and characters with questionable morals… so I really don’t know what kind of chaotic mix would come out, lol

[sonja92yu]

A thought about character interiority/moral complexity

Here's some unsolicited writing advice inspired by manuscripts I have to review/improve: A character having doubts is not the same thing as a character having depth.

Sometimes it is depth. Other times, it looks like they're holding up a sign to the audience saying: PLEASE UNDERSTAND I'M MORALLY COMPLICATED PLEASE DO NOT THINK I'M BAD PLEASE CLAP FOR MY CONSCIENCE

Not that self-pitying is a problem by itself. A character may be reactive on purpose. But I can tell when it's not intended, and so can readers. I get it. Writers are afraid of their characters being misunderstood or... gasps... not likeable enough. And nowadays they may also feel pressure to signal their character's virtue, or signpost that something doesn't 100% represent their own beliefs.

But if the character keeps doubting, monologuing, asking whether they're doing the right thing, and then keeps doing the exact same thing anyway, they may read as more annoying than tragic.

Let characters make choices.

Let them believe in those choices.

Let the consequences come when due.

A character who is wrong, but committed, is usually more compelling than a character who spends every scene explaining that they know they could be wrong.

[cecilia-witch]

[chaoswhich]

i need us to popularize a 'comically villainous' tag or something bc the bashing tag isn't enough. i am happy to read a fic exploring the negative influence of a character, even straight up villainizing them can be fun but some are so one dimensionally evil it's not even interesting...