Contradiction In Character

The creation of an interesting character is the most important skill that a writer can possess. There are many ways of creating such a character, practically infinte, but one technique that I have found useful is that of utilizing a contradiction. A contradiction is where the state of being of a character is in some way contradictory. Far from creating an arbitrary or non understandable character, when done correctly, this can easily create a multifaceted character. A contradictory character is as opposed to a character whose goals are in conflict with his inner character traits, rather, the contradictory character has his very state of being in conflict. Instead the character whose goals are in conflict with his state of being is an example of an internal conflict as opposed to an external conflict. The two states of being however are contradictory and thus in conflict or have to be resolved through a third state of being in order to make a contradictory character. Contradictory characters can be utilized in every genre and also in more literary fiction. The focus upon the contradiction can be utilized with differing amounts also if the contradiction has already been resolved, will ever be resolved, and how much any resolution is challenged. The contradiction inherent within Ron Swanson and the contradiction within Andy Dufree are handled very differently. It is up to each author to understand the type of story they are writing on how exactly contradiction can be used.

In order to create contradiction within a character there are many ways. The first way is that of a conflict of values. Our character holds two different values for example our character believes in the value of stability and also freedom. These values are not necessarily contradictory but they can be in certain circumstances. Our character is placed into a conflict which forces an inner conflict. Perhaps a terrorist group necessitates mass surveillance or people will day and the nation become unstable. Our character is then forced to choose between his two values. Should he uphold stability or should he permit Freedom. This conflict is interesting to watch as a parallel conflict with the fight against the terrorists.

Alternatively, the contradiction can be unforced with a character being greedy yet generous. Such a character could lie cheat and steal for money but yet give large amounts of charity with both of these character traits tearing him apart leaving him to settle the inner conflict. However, he could have a code in which he intends to reconcile these differences. Even if this conflict between theft and charity isn’t explored it still creates an interesting character. Indeed, this has created one of the most famous characters of all time Robin Hood. Robin Hood is inherently a series of contradictions. He is an honorable rogue. A thief that gives. He is a noble that cares for the peasantry. This is in the original stories resolved with him targeting villains which gain their wealth through the unjust taxation of the poor rather than what is proper or through their own thrift and commerce. The unfair treatment of Robin Hood is however a topic for another time. These contradictions despite a lack of inner conflict as defined above still result in a character that is fun to read. We could also have a character whose values are in contradiction to a part of their identity or their position in life. One popular example is the character, Ron Swanson. He is a libertarian yet he works at the government. This promotes comedy as the show is a comedy though this could also be handled in many interesting ways. The point is that the situation that the character is in and even is comfortable in is a contradiction of their values. Another example is that of Andy Dufrene from Shawshank Redemption. He is an inherently hopeful character. We see that throughout the film as he pushes against the darkness within the prison bringing a bit of joy to the prison. This contradiction of a hopeful, innocent man placed within the prison with corrupt guards, vile prisoners, and an evil warden produces conflict which is interesting to watch. Perhaps his hope will remain his own, or it will be snuffed out of him. Or perhaps he will spread it around and make the prison just a bit brighter.

If one wants to write these characters it is important to give them a valid reason to be contradictory. Contradictory does not mean arbitrary. For our first example of values that are forced into conflict this is simple as these are values which while they do not necessarily conflict, do in some circumstances. The character is preserved as not arbitrary by the fact that he has not been in these situations and thus has not been forced the resolve the contradiction which is inherent only partially within his value system. The final case is also simple as one could have extenuating circumstances force our character into this position. Of course, one could also utilize a sub value which motivates the contradictory circumstances though it does not necessarily contradict the main value which contradicts with the circumstances. Such as a greedy character who therefore works for an oil company despite being a hippy. There isn’t an inherent contradiction within whether one is a hippie or is greedy, however, the value of greed leads to the contradiction with the high salary provided by the oil company leading the greed of our character to overcome his hippie values leading to this contradiction.

The middle case however is the most difficult as it can lead to an arbitrary character. A character can instead of inhabiting two values can switch between them leaving the reader uninvested and confused. Instead, one should have it so our character in some way attempts to resolve this contradiction already even if it is poorly and especially if it is poorly so the character has inner struggles to resolve and grow beyond. For example, a character can engage in special pleading. He is excusing his corrupt actions within his own mind despite having a code of honor for others because his daughter is sick and requires funds. Or perhaps the fact that he is fighting for a noble goal such as an eco-terrorist excuses him in his own mind from the crimes and vile acts that he commits. Being confronted with the truth of the special pleading fallacy is interesting to watch and thus makes for good character work.

Another way is through rationalization where the character comes to a conclusion regarding the contradiction of values where they are not actually in contradiction. For example, Robin Hood has rationalized his theft yet generosity through his code of honor concerning whom he steals and concerning whom he gives. This is not the special pleading fallacy as it is consistent and applied equally. Any man who unfairly taxes and steals from the peasantry is a target and any man who doesn’t his things will not be trifled with even where Robin Hood could easily take the items. A good character-based story will challenge this rationalization and test it to see if the rationalization has successfully resolved the contradiction or collapses under the weight of scrutiny. However, even a not as character-based story will profit from this contradiction as the reader is interested in seeing how the story plays out according to the rationalization of this contradiction. The character becomes more predictable retaining consistency without becoming arbitrary while still being in some ways unpredictable as events shed light upon their rationalization and code.

The application of this contradiction in my own writing is for example the contradiction inherent within Arah. Because of her mother and father dying largely because of the clannishness within the Sumian culture denying him a proper job where he wouldn’t risk his life or giving her mother the help she required, she despises Sum, its culture, and its values. She sees herself as above their values being more compassionate to everyone not just her clan. She sees herself as an outside, doggedly resisting their values and eager to leave. Yet she has within herself far more Sumian then she gives herself credit for. This is a contradiction in that she holds her values are one thing yet they are another and one of her primary character arcs within my series is planned to be the resolution of her hatred of Sum, yet to a human she is very Sumian. This is an effective use of contradiction because the story is based upon the struggle of life before death. Growing our character and marriage is a useful use of time therefore the over coming of this internal and external conflict later saves both Arah and Scott from the metaphore for death. In a way a successful marriage makes you live forever. I am the product of the successful and unsuccessful marriages of my ancestors. Part of them is within me so in a way they live on within me for good and for bad. The conclusion of this metaphore is her pregnancy after the escape finishing their character arcs in resolving this internal state of being contradiction between her hatred of Sum and its values and her unconcious adoption of them.

Contradiction however should be utilized carefully as depending upon the genre and tone of the writing, the excessive use of contradictions can lead to a derailing of the plot. Certainly, it is interesting to watch a character work through their inner issues but if its a spy novel and one is constantly stopping the plot to ruminate about the character contradictions this derails the plot. It all depends on the execution. This is not to say contradictions do not work in every genre as we have had disperate examples from a character drama, to a comedy, to an adventure story. Each however has its own focus with Robin Hood having had his contradiction pre resolved, Ron Swanson having his contradiction remain for comedic purposes, and Andy Dufree having his contradiction being the entire focus of the story with its resolution being the climax of the film. Each utilizes contradiction in a different way to create an interesting character while treating the concept in disperate ways while emphasizing different facets of the concept. A good writer must know not only how to use the tool, but when to use the tool.

In conclusion, the use of contradiction is an important tool within an author’s toolkit to create an interesting and engaging character along with easily creating engaging inner conflict and character arcs which are more complicated than merely learning a lesson. It allows for the examination of multiple sides of a conflict and the testing of these values which are contradictory. Perhaps discovering they are not contradictory at all through a moral code or the introduction of a third value. There are many fascinating ways to deliver this category of conflict and much to be explored.