My Favorite Characters Part One: Stupid but Pure

Perhaps not entirely stupid, of course. There's only so much stupid you can get and, truthfully, I don't think you can be truly pure without the ability to think. Without some intelligence, I believe, you are too easily manipulated to stay pure. Actually, this character is apparently brilliant, but he's often "naive" or innocent, or slow or, in some cases, a distinct underachiever.

I was watching one of my favorite animés, The Ouran Host Club, with my sister. We both really enjoyed it and, to my delight, we were both routing for the main character, Tamaki Suoh, to end up with "the girl." But I'm not entirely surprised.

There's something extremely appealing about a character who is trusting and wants to help people, who is open and, often, unsophisticated in his pleasure with everything. There is something appealing about someone who believes in people and sees his role as making others happy.

This kind of character is often protective and unselfish, charming and devoted. He's often the butt of jokes rather than the creator of jokes, but he doesn't let that stop him. He can be conceited, or humble, ignorant or slow, but he never forgets what's important and, when all is said and done, he does the right thing.

When I write, I rarely have "pure" characters, though I often use some of those characteristics in my main characters (which are generally more complex). I'm a sucker for a protective protagonist. A "pure" character is often most effective in satire where they can provide a bit contrast to characters that are venturing toward the dark side.

Fry, in Futurama, for instance could be considered a "pure" character, whereas Homer, in the Simpsons, is mostly just stupid (with moments). Flanders is actually a pure character, despite his overt religiousness, because he really does forgive and forget. Since I'm in a animated mood, Samurai Jack also counts as a pure character.

Pure characters can't be corrupted, though they can, in a superficial way, be fooled. They love romance and happy endings and will often go to great inconvenience to make them happen, even if they get nothing from it.

I identify with these characters; these are traits I strive for myself. So, you'll see aspects of them (and, even occasionally, the real thing) in my work.

What "pure" characters can you think of?

Read more...