Characters are a part of a narrative.
A narrative explains events.
A series of events comprise our life, but there is more to our lives than a sum of events. There are also non-events.
Characters are elements of a story, a way of objectifying, separating the person from his characteristics.
So, in short, characters are not “Real” – they are a representation of something,
a map, if you will of a person. Even in autobiographies, the subject is still a reification, a product of the chosen selected narrative (of this person’s life).
If the character were real, then he would not be a character, he would be a person.
A character is a particular mapping of a person’s behavior.
Consider a map that has a scale of 1-to-1, where 1 inch on the map = 1 inch on the turf… Usually, a map represents something larger than itself. These maps scale down – 1 inch represents 1 mile.
If the map were actually the terrain (1 inch=1 inch), it would cease to be a map pointing to certain landmarks & traits – it would be a map sitting ontop of the terrain.
This is now possible with GPS; however, GPS devices are not exactly maps.
Another interesting point:
p. 131 cambridge intro to narrative
To eliminate characterization, you must elminate narrative – like beckett.
Beckett did a tremendous job in advancing non-linear narrative.
Traditionally narratives adhere to Aristotle’s prescription in his Poetics – above all else comes the plot, the events. And according to Aristotle, a plot must have a beginning middle and end. Characterization has a secondary role. The character serves the narrative. Characters are written for plays , not the other way around.
However, this has shifted significantly in non-linear narrative. PT Anderson’s films like Boogie Nights and Magnolia are as much character pieces as they are narratives, if not more.
While Aristotle’s Poetics are still relevant and the traditional model for narrative, I am not sure they are entirely applicable to interactive art.
I believe this is because interactive narratives lack plot – the central element of the Poetics
Sphere: Related Content
