Blog: Why a hero should have a character arc to be compelling.

I would have to say I agree with Volger on this statement for a variety of different reasons. One of which is because a good hero with in a story must be compelling to the audience as a whole. Whether it be the readers of a novel or the viewers of a film. For example, in the film “Seven” Morgan Freeman’s character of Detective Somerset evoked a lot of interest. Mostly because of his philosophy on life; on how it is a cruel world we live in. He could even be seen as a mentor that was evolved into a hero; when he try’s to reconcile with Detective Mills on why he shouldn’t kill Jon Doe for killing his wife. I think another contributing factor in making a hero compelling is showing that they have weaknesses just like anyone else. This way they are seen more like normal people; because the audience can relate to them more. For example, in Erin Brockovich, she was a single mom of two children who was jobless. Yet, she turns out to be the hero by the end of the film, when she takes down that company for poisoning water. I believe this lets audiences know that heros can be anyone, even the most unlikely people like a single out of job mom. Each one of these characters mentioned also have mentors that help them a long their journey. Erin Brockovich has her boss Ed Masry helping her battle out the company that is polluting the water. Detective Mills has Detective Somerset to guide him in catching the seven deadly sin serial killer Jon Doe. I feel that both Erin and Mills were very hard headed about thinks, whereas their mentors weren’t. Regardless, I feel that Erin was more successful with abiding by Ed Masry’s advice than Mills was to Somerset. Mills refused to listen to Somerset out of anger because Doe had murdered his wife. I believe the mentors to these heroes are another special factor in making heroes more compelling. Because, whether it be in a film or in a novel every hero has some sort of guide to achieve their goal. Someone who teaches them significant ways to obtain it. Though a lot tend to succeed like Erin Brockovich did, some still manage to be unsuccessful. I feel that Detective Mills would have been the better person if he hadn’t done what Doe wanted him to do in killing him. Applying the sin of wrath; instead of listening to Detective Somerset’s advice. Still whether the heroes succeed in obtaining their goals are not; they should always be compelling to the audience. Because if they weren’t they wouldn’t be able to relate to it or like it as much. Which is why in my opinion the main character should always have a mentor and decent background that provides him or her with foundation. No one would be intrigued in a character who is dull and doesn’t have a character arc take place.