This post originally appeared on Oct. 18, 2010.
Many story-lovers will agree that they like their characters “flawed.” Perfection is, well,annoying to read about. Heroines tend to not quite fit the social norm, and heroes often desperately need to be redeemed in some way.
But I’m fascinated with the number of ‘addictive’ personalities that have cropped up in popular stories. From Sam the bar owner who battled the bottle in Cheers to the Vicodin-addicted champion of bedside manner, House. By the way, did you know House’s apartment, 221B, pays homage to that other addictive character Sherlock Holmes?
We experience the painful struggle of withdrawal with young Harry Potter as he fights off the pull of addiction to the Mirror of Erised. We watch Bridget Jones surrender to too much smoking, too much drinking, and chasing the wrong men (and cheer her on when she starts to break free). In a darker battle, Johnny Depp uses opium, laudanum and absinthe to coax his visions in From Hell.
The advertising executives of Mad Men promote deals over four-martini lunches, smoke cigarettes by the carton and have, if not an addiction, let’s say a predilection for almost anything in a skirt. Maybe the 60’s was just an addictive era. But last week’s episode showed the seamier side of a decade riddled with social change when one of the secondary characters admitted to a heroine addiction. Suddenly, addictive characters became less romantic.
I’m curious as to what creates the appeal for us as readers or viewers of story. I assume we’re not an audience of addicts, so do we approach these stories with a macabre voyeurism—a curiosity that we feel safe exhibiting since it’s just us and the story? Do we secretly long to lead these wandering souls to salvation? Do we secretly wish we could throw caution to the wind and join them in their chaotic self-destruction?
Go ahead and share your favorite addictive character or tell us why you think they are—or aren’t—appealing.