Countdown to Small Gifts 5/5: Empathizing with the characters

[smallgiftsmods]

Welcome, folks! Every year at small gifts, we start off the holiday season with a week's worth of discussion posts. It's a chance to get to know other participants (or say hi again), meet our readers (hi, readers! we love you!), and while away the hours before the fest begins. We'll have one topic per day every day until Friday, November 30. Posting begins Saturday, December 1.

Discussion is not limited to participants! Readers and lurkers are warmly welcome.

Today: Empathizing with the characters

Do you identify with either Remus or Sirius? Or with aspects of their characters, or aspects of their relationship? Is a point a similarity with either of them part of your investment in the characters or their relationship?

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Comments

Wolfstar for the win!

[aimforthedogstar]

Well, it’s like the person I aspire to be is Sirius, like cocky, outgoing, energetic, lovable, rebellious, speak-your-mind prankster but deep down I’m Remus, who is calm, collected, doesn’t give a shit about anything, who likes to get lost in books and loves knitting.
I like the wolfstar dynamic, they both have edges carved into them by life but they fit well.

Re: Wolfstar for the win!

[mindabbles]

I love the way you put that—they both have edges carved into them by life. I think that what you’re describing, seeing parts of yourself in both, is one of the compelling things about their characters—neither of them is perfect or one dimensional or always completely consistent. And that’s real.

[shaggydogstail]

I don't particularly identify with either of them to be honest - I can't imagine anyone who knows me saying 'oh, you're such a ...' It's kind of oddly intriguing when I see people talk about id'ing with characters precisely because it's so alien to my experience. The most I've ever felt myself is odd points of similarity with Sirius' lack of emotional restraint or Remus' insecurity at not being quite as clever as his brilliant friends, but overall I'm not much like either of them.

Empathising is a different thing, and that's something I find easier to do. It's more to do with specific situations and in writing I'll definitely draw on my own life experiences to describe reactions and so on.

[wild_flame]

Hmm yeah I think I agree- I don't particularly identify with Remus or Sirius either apart from the odd thing here and there. To be honest, I think I find both Sirius and Remus intriguing as characters because they act and think in ways that are so different to me so when I write (and read) them I get to embody this person who I am not for a bit!

[mindabbles]

I think the only thing I really identify with is the importance of friendships. That’s one of the things I love about the HP world in general, that friendships are as important as other relationships. It’s really clear with these two. I can empathize with them not always being consistent and the fact that all they’ve been through causes their actions and reactions to not always look pretty and perfect.

[shaggydogstail]

Ooh, that is an excellent point! Yes, the friendships in HP are so important and that's wonderful, and love how things aren't smooth sailing for them but they're able to get over that.

[secretsolitaire]

I'm nothing at all like Sirius. I'm a little like Remus in the quietness and occasional passive-aggressiveness and love of books, but I think they're both braver than I am. :)