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The Author's Dilemma
Oct. 8th, 2001 11:13 pmI vastly prefer people once I have fictionalized them. The reason is self evident: I am a skilled writer. One-sided unjustified characterization is a crutch for the uncreative. Black-moustachioed villains went out of style with absolute monarchy.
Unfortunately, certain "real" people do not choose to subscribe to this viewpoint. Many of them seem determined to fall into shallow cliches, no matter how hard I try to editorialize them.
Take Professor L_____, for example. I have spent the past two months defending him to all and sundry even as he seeks to undo my best efforts. After wrestling with my conscience, I have decided to give him a sympathetic flaw. I have decided that he is ADD (although this makes me cringe as a psychologist).
It really does fix everything wonderfully well. When he yells at us for rustling paper, it's because he's so easily distracted. When he explains things several times in quick succession, it's because he's forgotten where he left off. When he writes me terse e-mails ordering I not read in class, it is not his way of punishing me for being the smartest person there -- it's just that he has trouble restraining himself from breaking off the lecture to discuss Kafka with me.
You know, I think the world would be a better place for everyone if we started listing "No Social Skills" in the DSM-IV. It would make it so imminently forgiveable, like depression or phobia.
Unfortunately, certain "real" people do not choose to subscribe to this viewpoint. Many of them seem determined to fall into shallow cliches, no matter how hard I try to editorialize them.
Take Professor L_____, for example. I have spent the past two months defending him to all and sundry even as he seeks to undo my best efforts. After wrestling with my conscience, I have decided to give him a sympathetic flaw. I have decided that he is ADD (although this makes me cringe as a psychologist).
It really does fix everything wonderfully well. When he yells at us for rustling paper, it's because he's so easily distracted. When he explains things several times in quick succession, it's because he's forgotten where he left off. When he writes me terse e-mails ordering I not read in class, it is not his way of punishing me for being the smartest person there -- it's just that he has trouble restraining himself from breaking off the lecture to discuss Kafka with me.
You know, I think the world would be a better place for everyone if we started listing "No Social Skills" in the DSM-IV. It would make it so imminently forgiveable, like depression or phobia.
