skyman06

My question IS about character development--but character development prior to the beginning of story.

Let's call the character Jonny. Jonny used to fight for Country A, which is warring with Country B. While fighting he sees the truth and realizes that his country is wrong and that Country B is right. After the realization, he decides to leave the conflict altogether instead joining Country B. He could have joined, but he didn't.

Is this realistic? If someone's point of view does a complete flip, shouldn't his/her actions match? Is it more complex? I'm guessing it is, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks

Shawn

Something super-powerful must make the character realize that their course of action is wrong. They just can't think, "Oh, this is bad..." then change their ways. I ran into that trap many times.

__________________
The most frightening part of leaving a parent's home, to me, is not knowing where one's own home is.

Banzai

I have something similar in one of my stories, and I think it's completely sound. If someone discovers they have been deceived, and they are fighting for the wrong side, then pacifism is a pefectly natural reaction.

__________________
"Who is the third who walks always beside you?
When I count, there are only you and I together
But when I look ahead up the white road
There is always another one walking beside you"
-"The Wasteland" by T.S. Elliot

valeca

The more important question would be 'is it realistic for your character'?

For some characters, it'd make sense for them to flip sides and start fighting for army B. For others, it's more realistic for the character to walk away completely. For still others, there could be even more options.

Once you decide which catagory your character would fall into, the question answers itself.

I don't think complexity has anything to do with either case, so long as it's logical for your character to do what they're doing--it has to make sense.

__________________
"...make your own nature, not the advice of others, your guide in life." --Pythia, Oracle of Apollo at Delphi

I'm here.

Umogrim

Eventualy he will get hanged(or electrical chair) for treason. I hope.

__________________
"Roses are red, violets are blue, all of our bases are belong to you." - Someone

"There are only 10 types of people in the world -- those who understand binary, and those who don't." - Someone else

skyman06

Thanks for all your suggestions! They are all very helpful. And for the last one... um, why do you HOPE will be hanged? --especially since I implied Country A was the (for lack of a better term) "bad guy"?

Umogrim

That is what countries do when they find traitors that helped their enemies while in war.

__________________
"Roses are red, violets are blue, all of our bases are belong to you." - Someone

"There are only 10 types of people in the world -- those who understand binary, and those who don't." - Someone else

skyman06

Well, I know that--but you HOPE he is killed. What if that would be in injustice. What if he did the right thing by leaving--and it would make sense if he was killed--but it would be tragic, and no reader would HOPE for it to happen.

skyman06

I've decided that the at the beginning of the story, he is a loner, on the run from his own country, while still avoiding Country B. He lives by his own rules, and is constantly moving around, living for himself only. He is later dragged into the conflict again, but this time on the side of Country B (note: they do not know who he is or was). He is reluctant but eventually experiences another realization and decides to fight for Country B after all.

Umogrim

It was just a joke, i cant hope he gets killed because i havent read it, so i dont know if it would be right or not.

__________________
"Roses are red, violets are blue, all of our bases are belong to you." - Someone

"There are only 10 types of people in the world -- those who understand binary, and those who don't." - Someone else

skyman06

I hope you'll read it if and when I put it up here on this website (that could be soon or a month away)...

Umogrim

Sure, then i'll judge him <wicked grin>

__________________
"Roses are red, violets are blue, all of our bases are belong to you." - Someone

"There are only 10 types of people in the world -- those who understand binary, and those who don't." - Someone else