Here’s another thought from my reading the Stephen King novel The Stand: Every description that he writes in the book comes directly from the main character’s words and point of view. He doesn’t write “…and she thought to herself…” followed by the description. He just writes it and you naturally, subtly get to know the character by the way the description is given.
For instance, the character Lloyd Henreid is featured in numerous scenes that I’ve read so far, and when you read the descriptions of the places that he is in, it is full of simple thoughts and mindless opinions (And peppered with foul language. This is not a book for young or sensitive readers.). On the other hand, when I read the scenes with Mother Abigail, the descriptions used are largely composed of colloquialisms, old adages and religious terms. When you read her sections of the book, you would have thought that Stephen King was a Christian author! He is that good at giving the character a voice.
My lesson learned: Every good book has characters with unique, original personalities. The setting and plot descriptions around them should be written from their perspective, not just their dialogue. The characters in the book do not always reflect the personality or values of the author, and they shouldn’t. The villain in a book is no more a reflection of the author than Hitler is a reflection of God, the One who created the madman.
So, dear reader, this is my dilemma. How evil is too evil? Where is the line that I must draw as a Christian author? Should I allow my characters free reign and let them say the vile things that I know they would say, even if it’s filthy? Should I describe the world as I know they see it within their scenes, including blasphemous worldviews? Should I write their lustful thoughts and intents so matter-of-factly that it seems that I concur? Should I permit all of their evil actions to show up on paper, even the most grotesque ones? It would be tacky for me, the author, to censor every villain or character who doesn’t hold my worldview, yet I don’t want to offend my readers.
Tell me what you think, please. I would consider it a big help in writing this novel that I’m developing. Thank you!
Vernacular is an extremely important part of literature. For example: Mark Twain’s Huck Finn. Huck was a country bumpkin who didn’t use proper grammar and was raised to be racist. Twain kept Huck true to what he was because if Twain would have had Huck sound like a well educated gentleman, Huck would not have been as believable and probably would not have become an American classic. So I guess my vote would be: make the character believable and natural. If the villain swears, let him/her swear.
Thanks Cathy! I appreciate the perspective of an avid reader. As with everything, it’s always easier said than done, and while I develop these characters I have to keep reminding myself where they come from and what has happened to them along the way to determine how they would react in any given situation. I’m a writer in training! Maybe I’ll have to send one of my drafts to you for a good critique.
While you must do so carefully, I feel like you must let the character be the character. However, I would suggest some censure; nothing ruins a good story like needless vulgarity. Yet “good” vulgarity strengthens the believability of the story.
You got my whole-hearted agreement. I just read a section of the book last night of a gruesome scene. Not only was it chock-full of horrendous language, but the action of the scene was revolting. I’m sure he wrote the scene exactly as it would have happened in real life, but it left me with a queasiness in my stomach. Yech! I really didn’t need that before going to bed. Honestly, I think the character was easy enough to sympathize with even without this scene.
I get what you’re saying about “good” vulgarity. I’ve read scenes in Christian fiction before that was supposed to be serious and enthralling, yet became laughable through the absurdity of the villain. As my friend Brian commented on my Facebook, “You have mafia bosses that would kill someone graphically (strange how Christians don’t have a problem with violence) but then says ‘darn’ and ‘heck.’”
I don’t think it’s an issue if the writing is good and well-placed. This topic makes me think of Denzel Washington. He’s played some pretty vulgar roles, but as a Christian, he wants a just end to the character.
It’s that poetic justice that we’re all looking for, isn’t it? I can forgive the author the things that his characters do, but I can’t forgive him of what happens to them. The characters choose what they do; he chooses what becomes of them.