~~ pity & the hurt/comfort reader...?

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
-- Eleanor Roosevelt

I was just thinking about this in regards to ajhalluk's post where she mentioned being "naturally contrary and drawn to lost causes", thus motivating her to find 'good' in a character who's a victim of "authorial privilege". It's ironic, because I'm certainly very contrary (boy, am I) and very drawn to lost causes (...that's the understatement of the year), but as a reader, I don't -judge- the narrative if I'm at all enjoying it-- I suspend my disbelief and only want things to happen if they're best for the pov character(s).

If I perceive the author as some sort of tyrannical power over my mind who's -forcing- me to like some character (which seems absurd to me, since as I said, pretty much no one can make me do anything I don't want to do, being stubborn)... well, I'm going to hate that story, and all of its characters equally. No words could adequately describe how much I despise being manipulated (as a reader or as a person).

Sometimes I read a story, and I can really tell what the writer thinks of the characters, because the 'good' ones are loving and beautiful and hurt and the 'bad' ones are unrealistic caricatures of bastardly gittishness. I've read a lot of love stories where 'The Ex' is barely even human and the 'True yet Suffering Wife' has to realize she's Better Than That and escape his antifeminist clutches.

Conversely, sometimes I read a story where the two (beautiful, perfect) lovers have their Pure True Love, and Someone (the Evil Best Friend or the Abusive Selfish Father or the Evil Prejudiced Society) plots to tear them apart. Either the two make a stand and the Friend/Father/Society accepts & swallows, or they're 'let go' in the name of Purity and Love. Conversely, sometimes the bad evil people win and the lovers crumble, committing suicide or 'nobly' letting the other go, because it's 'just not meant to be, my love!!1'

Now, I really can't stand those sorts of (badly written) stories. I read them and groan, probably only continuing (if I do) 'cause I'm a junkie & need my fix. However, the idea of therefore being -drawn- to the discriminated-against 'bad guy' character as a reaction against the others' 'authorial privilege' is almost... funny to me.

( I think, though, the 'me' is the important part there. )

~~

EDIT - On reading ajhalluk's post on Potterverse bullies, I felt that perhaps it's relevant here that while I'd grown up 'freakish' (i.e., antisocial, geeky, chubby, overly introspective and largely made fun of by those who noticed), I never did feel 'victimized', and never automatically assume the victim's pov when I read unless I think they're cool for some other reason. I'm also not a person who accepts help easily, which I admit can often be a failing (of pride). It is not that I don't want to help or be helped, but that I don't feel inspired by the context of the haves helping the have nots, but rather like the idea of the 'have nots' -taking- what they want, by force if necessary. :> (....Issues, yeah.)