TV shows, movies and books captivate us through their characters. The most compelling characters often possess significant flaws, make serious mistakes, and face impossible decisions. We sympathize with these deeply flawed protagonists because the medium allows us to intimately explore their motivations and inner lives.
Consider Don Draper from Mad Men – a serial adulterer and heavy drinker whose internal struggles make him relatable. Tony Soprano commits heinous crimes, yet six seasons of intimate storytelling forge a connection with viewers. Even in Game of Thrones, a beloved heroine becomes the antagonist, yet audiences maintain affection for her because they understand her journey.
Yet a striking paradox emerges: imagine that these characters existed in real life. Would we afford them the same sympathies? When we learn that someone cheated on their partner, most of us immediately judge rather than empathize. Few of us consider what might drive someone toward terrible actions.
This contrast reveals something profound. We extend greater compassion to fictional characters than to actual people, largely because narrative gives us complete context. We witness their lowest moments and understand their despair, allowing us to see beyond their worst actions.
I believe that consuming complex narratives teaches us valuable lessons about human nature. Rather than quickly labelling someone as a “criminal” or a “cheater” based on surface details, perhaps we should attempt greater understanding. It is impossible to read the novel that is someone’s life and to truly understand what led them to who they have become.