After our discussions in class today, I feel a bit more strongly about picking my paper topic. I feel that I can make a case for Chiang attempting to insert at least one heroic trait into each of his main characters. In high school English I always loved the idea of the tragic heroes who gave everything they had for a certain noble cause, but lost it all in vain due to a certain trait that was such a part of them. Aristotle teaches that tragic heroes must have certain characteristics to be considered as such. They need to be of noble birth or stature, and be an inherently (or perhaps superficially) good person, so that their eventual downfall causes the audience to feel pity and catharsis.
These characteristics do not always fit characters in modern fiction, especially Chiang's work. However, using Aristotle and more classic examples, I feel that I can create a definition of a "hero of understanding" rather than a tragic one. Tragic heroes in science fiction aren't all that uncommon either, just a quick look at the tragic hero wikipedia page gives lots of examples, many of which are my favorites.
That sounds like a great idea! I definitely feel like there's a pattern to several of his protagonists. And a "hero of understanding" is a very fitting term for them. What were some of your ideas on the characteristics of these heroes? For instance, a need for knowledge or discovery is one that I think is very prominent in the majority of his works. Also, perhaps they eventually suffer a downfall or a moment epiphanic closure near the end of their story. These are just some ideas, but I'm interested to hear your take on what characteristics are prevalent.
ReplyDeleteI also think it's a great idea. The heroes Chiang creates aren't your modern day action heroes, but they are most certainly fighting for something they believe in.
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