It is in their ‘good’ characters that novelists make, unawares, the most shocking self- revelations.
This quote suggests that when authors create ‘good’ characters in their novels, they inadvertently reveal a lot about themselves. The characteristics they assign to these virtuous individuals often mirror their own ideals, aspirations, or even their own personality traits. In other words, the qualities an author admires and portrays positively in their characters can provide insight into the author’s personal values and beliefs.
The ‘good’ character becomes a reflection of what the author perceives as good and desirable, thus serving as an unintentional self-portrait. This might not always be obvious to readers or even to the authors themselves while writing. However, upon closer examination or reflection, these parallels between the author’s idealized figures and their personal ethos become more apparent.
In today’s world where social media personas are carefully curated and managed, this concept is still applicable but in a slightly different context. Instead of novelists creating characters on paper pages, we now have individuals creating digital versions of themselves online. These online personas are often idealized representations that reflect one’s values and aspirations much like how novelists imbue ‘good’ characters with qualities they admire.
On another level related to personal development; understanding this idea could help us gain insights into our subconscious self-perceptions by examining who we admire or aspire to be like whether it be real people around us or fictional characters from books or movies. It also emphasizes the importance of being mindful about who we idolize because it reflects our inner values which shape our attitudes towards ourselves and others around us.
Furthermore, recognizing that our perceptions of ‘good’ can reveal so much about ourselves might encourage introspection regarding what traits we truly value versus what society tells us should be valued – leading towards more authentic self-understanding.
