Character Arcs

06Nov13

I have probably mentioned “character arc” many times but I feel like I’ve never properly explained what it is. Allow me to rectify that.

There are two types of characters: static and dynamic. A static character is one who is the same at the end of the book as s/he was at the start. Static characters can work if done well. (And, in my opinion, if they aren’t the main character).

A dynamic character is the opposite. This character goes on a journey (though not always a literal one) from the start of the story to the end. Something changes in them—they conquer their fears, claim their destiny, reform their ways, etc. Either way, they are not the same as when we first met them. Because of this, dynamic characters have what is known as a character arc.

A character arc contains the beats a character should hit in his/her quest from Point A to Point Z. For example, I’ll use Quinn Fabray from Season 1 of Glee.

Point A: Quinn is woman on top—head cheerleader, dating the quarterback, president of the chastity club, and very popular

Point B: Boyfriend Finn joins the Glee Club, a social no-no, and is attracted to odd duckling Rachel which threatens Quinn

Point C: Quinn joins the Glee Club to spy for the cheerleading coach and to keep an eye on Finn and Rachel

Point D: Quinn reveals to Finn she’s pregnant but tries to hide it

Point E: Everyone finds out about the pregnancy. Quinn is kicked out of the Cheerios as well as her house. Finn takes her in.

Point F: Rachel finds out Finn isn’t the father of Quinn’s baby but rather his best friend Puck.

Point G: Quinn moves in with Puck and works to mend her relationship with Finn, who is now pining for a taken Rachel.

Point H: Befriends Mercedes and starts to show compassion to others.

Point I: Reconciles with her mother before Regionals, where she gives birth to a daughter with the assistance of her mother, Puck, and Mercedes

Point J: Quinn gives up her baby for adoption and is ready to continue her life as a regular teenager

And so, the high-and-mighty powerful popular cheerleader becomes a humbled Glee club geek. Yeah, they may have reset her every September and made her learn the same lesson for Seasons 2 and 3, but season 1 Quinn still had a good character arc.

Your character should have one as well. And no, just falling in love with Legolas/Harry/Kirk/Dreamboat du Canon doesn’t count.

Let’s look at a real fanfiction: “The Rebel Companion” by Phantom’s Ange. I know, I know. But stay with me, okay? It’s a Doctor Who fanfic in which the Doctor picks up a young woman who has just seen her parents killed by a Dalek. (A plot point which in and of itself was weak but I’m not here to discuss that). Ange’s writing doesn’t have arcs. And there were plenty of places for an arc.

For example, how Elena reacts to the death of her parents. She doesn’t really plot it well. Like many other authors out there, she doesn’t understand that things can’t just happen because she decides it is what the plot needs. That it must come from a logical path in the plot. Right now, the story plays out that Elena’s parents die, she goes on some adventures with the Doctor and then she decides to go visit her parents’ graves. It’s all a bit…sudden.

Here’s a better way it could’ve gone:

Point A: Elena’s parents are killed by Daleks. As he dies, her father asks the Doctor to save her.

Point B: The Doctor takes Elena aboard the TARDIS.

Point C: Elena freaks out and distrusts the Doctor. She demands to be taken home.

Point D: The events of “The Runaway Bride” transpire.

Point E: The Doctor asks Donna and Elena to travel with him. Both refuse and ask to go home. The Doctor drops Donna off first.

Point F: When the Doctor drops Elena off, she goes into her house. It’s silent and feels empty. Elena spots a picture of her parents and the grief overwhelms her.

Point G: Elena runs back out and agrees to travel with the Doctor.

Point H: The events of “Smith and Jones,” “The Shakespeare Code” and “Gridlock” unfold. Through them all, Elena keeps pushing away thoughts of her family and her parents’ death.

Point I: At the end of “Gridlock,” Elena witnesses the death of the Face of Boe. It brings back her own suppressed grief for her parents.

Point J: Elena has a talk with Martha about her parents.

Point K: Martha convinces Elena it’s best if she goes back to visit her parents’ grave

Point L: Elena finally calls her siblings, letting them know she’s okay and asking where their parents are buried.

Point M: Elena shows up at the grave site and is reunited with her siblings. They are happy to see she is safe but soon are upset that she abandoned them at their time of need. She learns they have had a hard time since her parents’ death.

Point N: She decides to stay behind and goes to get her stuff off the TARDIS. The Doctor, Martha and her brothers follow her in to help.

Point O: The TARDIS slams its doors and take off for the events of “Daleks in Manhattan” and “The Dalek Evolution”

There we go! An improved arc for Elena.

Any other questions regarding arcs?

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Tags: arcs, characterization, characters, Doctor Who