Wednesday, February 9, 2011
I have been thinking about the start of the book. Originally it started in a wheat field, then in a sacred grove. Now it starts in a prison cell focusing on the woman Alexenah. Feeling that she is the protagonist at the start, I went back to do some research so that I am not confused and don't confuse the reader. I was reading in the book "Story" by Robert McKee about protagonists wondering if this book has plural protags or multiple protags. And whether there is a change in protags half way through the book (which there kinda is) and he mentions that the movie "Psycho" did that. I mentioned that point to Tom and he said, "Yes, the protagonist is himself AND his mother!" so I guess if the protag is schizo, then there can definately be multiple protags in the story! Then I continued reading about characteristics of protagonists and MeKee states that EMPATHY rather than SYMPATHY is more important. You want the audience to relate to the character and say, "she is like me" rather than "I feel sorry for her." I wonder if that is shown and thus felt clearly in what is now titled the "Prologue"? That scene shows Alexenah as a child who acts like she is older and is responsible, therefore not using a child's term for her father. But what action does she take? What decision does she make? Does it show that she accepts what he says and determines to live her life that way? That can only been seen later as she is put in situations and makes choices. some changes need to be made in the following chapters, but I feel confident of where this takes the book, and more importantly where it takes Alexenah and the reader. --Jon
Labels:
Alexenah
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christian fiction
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historical fiction
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novel
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Caradoc
"Will this suffice?"
Jachin
"He sunk deep into the nook of the tree..."
This is interesting and we have talked about the question, "Who is the most important character in the first book?" The answer was Alexenah. However, I see her more as a stimilus for change in Jachin and Boaz. I think of the movie/book "One Flew Ovwer the koo-koos's Nest" where the main character is the Jack Nickolson guy. His change in the movie is not of his own making (although that could be debated) but the real change was in another character, the big Indian, who determines that he has a voice and breaks free. More of collateral un-damage as opposed to collateral damage with the boys in our story.
ReplyDeleteJust some thoughts to ponder. (Also I wonder with Renee's recent illness if that ddidnt spark some life into Alexenah?) --Tom
You said a "stimulus for change?" In what way? In order to have change you have to have staus qou established. i.e. Jachin is playful and carefree then becomes hardened by hatred. How does Alexenah stimulate this change? She tries to keep them status quo and help them have a good life as much as possible, showing them love and kindness etc. Contrast her to Caradoc and his abuse, he seems to be more of a stimulus for their need to make decisions. --Jon
ReplyDeleteguess I was thinking how what happens to Alexenah as the turning point but see really in multiple levels all at once, that event leads to the "change" but instigated by hatred toward Caradoc...then sublimated to hatred of self. --Tom
ReplyDeleteYou could have at least corrected my typos for me before posting my comments :O) --Tom
ReplyDelete