Fictional characters: overachievers and underachievers

[Kouvb593kdnuewnd]

Do you have any good examples on fictional characters that managed to defy the odds and managed to achive alot more than you would expect given their background, abilities, etc. On similar remarks do you have example on characters that achived less than would be expected with their background, abilities, etc.

 

[Perfection]

The rat in Ratatouille

 

[sophie]

Isn't that like, the vast vast majority of movies and books?

 

[Kouvb593kdnuewnd]

Isn't that like, the vast vast majority of movies and books?

Maybe

 

[Arakhor]

Does it count if said protagonist is destined by fate to do whatever he does in the end? For instance, Garion, the simple farm boy in the Belgariad, who turns out to be someone the world has been waiting for for a very long time and goes on to do a whole load of stuff.

 

[Kouvb593kdnuewnd]

Does it count if said protagonist is destined by fate to do whatever he does in the end? For instance, Garion, the simple farm boy in the Belgariad, who turns out to be someone the world has been waiting for for a very long time and goes on to do a whole load of stuff.

Depend if you think it is an achievement or not. I would probably say no if the achievement was guaranteed or nearly so.

 

[timtofly]

Does it count if said protagonist is destined by fate to do whatever he does in the end? For instance, Garion, the simple farm boy in the Belgariad, who turns out to be someone the world has been waiting for for a very long time and goes on to do a whole load of stuff.

Would that not be every protagonist?

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Do you have any good examples on fictional characters that managed to defy the odds and managed to achive alot more than you would expect given their background, abilities, etc. On similar remarks do you have example on characters that achived less than would be expected with their background, abilities, etc.

The characters are whatever the author decides they are.

Of course there are some characters that seem determined to go in a different direction or develop a different personality. That's why I can't write a serious Star Trek story to save my life. It always veers off into satire, parody, or comedy.

If you mean examples of where the reader is reading a book and becomes either impressed or underwhelmed about the characters because they end up doing the opposite of what you would expect, of course there are many examples.

Take Han Solo, for instance. In Star Wars he was in it for the money. My 14-year-old self didn't expect him to become any sort of hero, and I didn't like him at first. But now... yeah, Han Solo is my favorite of the Star Wars characters because he's not goody-two-shoes. He's got flaws that make him relateable and while he became less narcissistic and uncaring about other people, he never really changed that much from his essential self who filled the role of "charming rogue." He changed, but not so much as to become nauseatingly noble.

 

[Arakhor]

Would that not be every protagonist?

If they conform to the "destined hero" trope, then yes, but that's only a small subset of protagonists.

 

[Kouvb593kdnuewnd]

Would that not be every protagonist?

Hermione Granger from Harry Potter could be said to be a big overachiever without being destiny tied if we ignore that the author have total controll over the character. More clear examples can be seen in games in which the character's achivements are not completely predetermined.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

Do you have any good examples on fictional characters that managed to defy the odds and managed to achive alot more than you would expect given their background, abilities, etc. On similar remarks do you have example on characters that achived less than would be expected with their background, abilities, etc.

The central character from Ready Player One was ready with all the right skills at all the right times with no effort. It was obnoxious to say the least. I know it's a young adult book but that doesn't forgive crappy writing.

I got the audiobook from a friend and regretted starting it about half way through.

 

[Kouvb593kdnuewnd]

The central character from Ready Player One was ready with all the right skills at all the right times with no effort. It was obnoxious to say the least. I know it's a young adult book but that doesn't forgive crappy writing.

Hermione Granger atleast was skilled because she worked hard and even then she was never perfect like her defence against the dark arts was not top tier.