by Alexa Ramos
Evaluations of our Humanity: By Man for Man
Photo by Alexis Brown on Unsplash
I was sitting around the dinner table with my closest friends when a discussion about our reading habits began. How much we read, our preferences, literature tropes we absolutely cannot stand. When I inquired about everyone’s typical reading selection, I was given answers that ranged from fantasy to romance, science fiction to action novels. The books themselves had a common thread that confirmed a theory I’ve been considering for some time now: plot-driven work is taking over the literary scene, whereas character-driven work is on the decline.
As an English major, I understand that the classics of my coursework may not be everyone’s evening read of choice. Even my own personal choices were disregarded by my friends as “boring,” “without action,” and, ultimately, “without a story.”
I now pose the question: Is it worth reading books that are not focused on plot and external conflicts? The obvious answer is yes, of course there is literature beyond plot-based stories. However, I still feel it is imperative to give a reminder of the importance and value of character-centered works.
Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels, beginning with My Brilliant Friend, discusses topics of patriarchal violence and the struggles of working-class Italy. But most of all, I believe it focuses on female friendships and the societal expectations of this social dynamic. The book features the relationship between main character Elena Greco and best friend Lina Cerullo. It is the epitome of a character-driven work. Despite this (or, more so, because of it), the entire Neopolitan series is popular in Italy and beyond, becoming a worldwide sensation. And for anyone who reads the book, it earns its title as one of the most acclaimed works to grace their shelves.
So, what is this obsession with the Character? The value of these texts resides in human nature. Works like My Brilliant Friend are a raw portrayal of our humanity, what we are and what we could be. When you have an author with an extensive amount of talent who writes a book on the experiences of a stranger, reading that work means understanding the experience of someone other than yourself. It means finding the similarities and connections between your own personal experiences and theirs.
Character-driven work allows you to see others grow, but it is also a chance to feed into your own humanity and know what it is to be understood. Character-based literature is a chance for vast audiences to connect, to communicate on levels beyond imagination, and to even experience new emotions entirely.
Both plot and character-based work should be on everyone’s shelves, as there is a time and place for both. But at times when we feel lost or alone, may we always remember that there are stories and characters who can understand us in ways we do not yet know ourselves.
Alexa Ramos is a senior at FSU and an editorial assistant for the layout section of Kudzu. She is currently double majoring in Political Science and English Literature, Media, and Culture. She plans to work towards an MFA in Creative Writing after graduation. Eventually, she hopes to move back to her home in Honduras where she can study Spanish literature and work on the creation of her first novel.
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