Lmaooo complexity in a character doesn’t equate to a good or likable character and complexity isn’t a cop out for cruelty it doesn’t excuse his actions nor does it make us like him he’s written to be triggering so the audience is triggered I love dark literature complex characters make for great plot but unfortunately understanding a character doesn’t make them easy to digest
Also Complex characters are more interesting to readers and can make them root for or against the character. Their complexity drives their personal arcs and fuels the narrative tension and themes within character-driven stories. They are made to invoke the reader whether in a positive or negative light most complex characters either go through a villain era or a redemption ark. By definition Complex characters are multi-faceted and layered, and they display a realistic mix of traits, strengths, and weaknesses. They have a range of emotions, motivations, and conflicts that make them feel real and relatable. They often change their attitudes and reactions to events, and they may mature or change their mind about a particular character or event
being able to handle a complex character is different than liking them
Calling out a character on his narcissistic and abusive behavior does not mean "not being able to handle complex characters". If anything, the fact that you see critique on a character as someone being unable to handle the same stories that YOU do, as so you put it, is very much immature and "I'm not like the other girls uwu" lol
Girlie no, what's the point of reading a story about abuse and that handles dark themes then go around complaining about how abusive the character is? I'm not insinuating I'm not like other girls, but it's a matter of taste after all, and if you find yourself unable to handle the actions of a character and dislike them so much why keep on reading just to come back and complain EVERY chapter?
Because you can dislike a character but still enjoy the story? I love how you preach about complex characters yet your thought process over irl people is so dichotomic and simplistic it's hilarious.
I'm not defending the ML because he's likable or because his actions are justifiable, but rather bcs he's deeply flawed and twisted (possibly even mentally ill) and for me that's a breath of fresh air.
What makes him compelling, is the way his complexity is portrayed. Characters like him are refreshing precisely bcs they're not meant to be redeemable. His actions shouldn't be excused or forgiven, but rather understood within the context of his character arc. I actually hope he doesn't get a redemption arc, because realistically, what he did is too damaging to be repaired within a single lifetime.
Liking or sympathizing with him isn't the point, his complexity is what makes him intriguing and fuels the narrative tension. Not all characters need to be likable to be well-written.
Oh I fully understand you can dislike a character and still enjoy the story, my issue is with complaining about the same traits every chapter when they’re core to the plot. If you can't handle the dark themes or the character's behavior, why stick around just to whine? Also, it's funny you think my view on fiction equates to how I see real-life people. They're not the same thing, but go off.
So your issue is with people expressing themselves? I believe we have freedom of speech and this is the point of the comment section. Just like how people are free to express their opinion of liking a character EVERY chapter, they're also free to express their dislike as often as they want.
Also, disliking a character, once again, has nothing to do with whether you can handle dark themes. You can detest a character's behavior but still enjoy the dark theme of the story and ALSO understand the complexity of the characters. Understanding the complexity doesn't mean you have to like the character and agree with them.
And i believe you accused people that expressed their dislike of Heiner, of being unable to handle complex characters, which i believe proves my point of you being unable to understand how a person's thought process works. You were being condescending simply because others do not share the exact same pov as you so you deserve nothing but condescension in return.
I'm not sorry to inform that the world isn't just black and white.
Also, the core of the plot isn't only Heiner's behavior but Annette's as well, the choices she has made for herself e.t.c. but even if it was, I don't see how this is even an argument? People read stories for the angst and can enjoy their hatred of a character for the sake of the angst or hope for a better ending with a different character while not necessarily disliking an obviously tragic one.
And here we are, complaining about others' complaints, hypocritical, isn't it? girl, get a grip lol
Criticizing a character obviously meant to be criticized because he is horribly flawed => can't handle dark themes
Yeah, YOU go off lmao.
Why can't yall handle complex characters? He's obviously deeply flawed, that's the way he was written, he's no knight in shining armor but very much so the villain of Annette's story. Some of us aren't always into fairytales and if you can't handle something a little dark and twisted drop the stoey and stop boring us with your complaints.