How to Create a Compelling Fallible Hero for Your Fictional Story
In the realm of fiction, heroes come in various forms, but the most captivating and relatable ones often possess flaws and vulnerabilities. These fallible heroes, despite their imperfections, manage to captivate readers and keep them invested in their journey because they are so relatable and inspiring at the same time.
What is a Fallible Hero?
Now for the obvious – a fallible hero is a character who has flaws and makes mistakes. They are not perfect, and they often struggle with their own inner demons. However, they are also brave, compassionate, and determined. They are heroes because they are willing to fight for what they believe in, even when it is difficult or when they are clearly experiencing internal conflict.
Why Fallible Heroes Are So Interesting
As mentioned, fallible heroes are interesting because they easily evoke empathy and stir up a can-do attitude. We all have flaws, and we all make mistakes. Seeing a hero who is also flawed makes us feel less alone. It also makes us feel like we can be heroes ourselves, even if we are not perfect. Fallible heroes hold a special place in the hearts of readers for several reasons:
- Relatability: Flawed characters mirror our own imperfections and struggles, making them more relatable and human. Their vulnerabilities create a connection, allowing readers to empathize and invest emotionally in their journey.
- Growth and redemption: Fallible heroes offer opportunities for growth, self-discovery, and redemption. As they navigate their flaws and face the consequences of their actions, they undergo a transformation, providing a satisfying narrative arc that resonates with readers.
- Complexity and depth: Flaws add depth and complexity to characters, making them multi-dimensional and realistic. By exploring their weaknesses, fears, and internal conflicts, authors create more nuanced and compelling narratives.
- Tension and conflict: Fallible heroes bring internal and external conflicts to the forefront. Their struggles with their own flaws and the challenges posed by the story’s antagonistic forces generate tension and keep readers engaged.
Examples of Fallible Heroes
The fallible hero, although sounding somewhat obscure, is actually quite common in some of the most famous stories. Prominent examples of fallible heroes in popular fiction include the following characters:
- Harry Potter: Harry is a talented wizard, but he is also insecure and impulsive. He makes mistakes, but he always learns from them.
- Luke Skywalker from Star Wars: Luke is a farmboy who dreams of becoming a Jedi. He is brave and determined, but he is also naive and inexperienced. He makes obvious mistakes, but he always learns from them.
- Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games: Katniss is a skilled archer and hunter, but she is also cynical and distrustful. She sometimes makes mistakes, but she always fights for what she believes in.
- Author J. D. Salinger’s Holden Caulfield: Holden is a teenager who feels alienated from society. He is intelligent and witty, but he is also arrogant and self-destructive. He too makes mistakes, but he is ultimately a good person who is trying to find his place in the world.
- Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice: Elizabeth is an intelligent and independent woman who refuses to marry for anything but love. She also makes mistakes, but she is ultimately a strong and determined woman who knows what she wants.
These are just a few examples of fallible heroes in fiction. There are many other examples, and each one is unique and interesting in its own way. Fallible heroes are some of the most complex and compelling characters in fiction, and they can teach us a lot about ourselves and the world around us.
How to Create a Fallible Hero
In order to create a protagonist of this nature, a writer should establish a few key characteristics and behaviors so readers are able to understand this is a fallible hero and a person that’s both virtuous and imperfect. Here is what’s needed to create a believable fallible hero:
- Establish strengths and weaknesses: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your fallible hero. Consider both physical and psychological aspects. These flaws can range from character traits like arrogance, impulsiveness, or insecurity to more profound emotional scars or past traumas.
- Root flaws in the backstory: Connect the flaws of your hero to their backstory. Go into their history, experiences, and upbringing to understand how their flaws developed. This adds depth and authenticity to their character, enabling readers to comprehend their motivations and struggles.
- Embrace contradictions: Humans are complex creatures with contradictory traits. Embrace the contradictions within your fallible hero. Allow them to possess virtues alongside their flaws, highlighting the inherent struggle between their better and darker selves.
- Balance weaknesses with strengths: While the focus is on the flaws, ensure your hero possesses strengths that make them admirable and capable. These strengths can help them overcome challenges and provide a sense of hope for readers. However, avoid making them infallible or overpowered, as it diminishes the tension and realism.
- Create opportunities for growth: Design a narrative that tests the fallible hero’s weaknesses and provides opportunities for growth. Through challenges, setbacks, and conflicts, they can confront their flaws and evolve. Each obstacle should push them closer to self-awareness, change, or redemption.
- Flaw-driven relationships: Explore how the hero’s flaws affect their relationships with other characters. Show how their weaknesses can create conflict, tension, or trust issues. These dynamics add layers of complexity and contribute to the hero’s growth.
- Show consequences: Let the hero face consequences for their actions and flaws. These consequences can be personal, affecting their relationships or self-perception, or they can have broader implications for the story’s plot. Consequences drive character development and offer valuable lessons.
Last but not least, foster empathy and redemption. Through the hero’s journey, elicit empathy from readers. Highlight their internal struggles, doubts, and vulnerability. As they confront their shortcomings, allow room for redemption, showcasing their capacity for change and growth.
What It All Means
Fallible heroes have an undeniable allure in fiction. Their imperfections, vulnerabilities, and the journeys they undertake to confront their faults resonate deeply with readers. By carefully crafting these characters, authors can create narratives that explore the human condition, bring forth empathy, and provide powerful stories of growth and redemption. So, embrace the complexity of fallible heroes and allow their weaknesses to shape their captivating journey in your fictional world.
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Owen is the creator and author of more than sixty original short stories and counting, including drama, crime, suspense, action and adventure, family, historic fiction, sci-fi, and slices of life. He is also a musician who has written extensively about theory.
