I explained to the kid that no, he's not a bad guy - he's cranky because he's sad about his sister dying. Like most little kids, this one didn't understand that grief and depression can manifest as anger and hostility.
I'm glad you were there to help with perspective and complexity. I worked with 9-16 y/o kids as a summer camp counselor and I found myself in a few discussions that made me nervous--not because I didn't think the kids could handle it, but because I was worried about potential parent reactions (was never an issue, much like most of my worries lol).
I know They say that reading can make people more empathetic, but that must extend to any media that can show another experience. Though in CP's case it doesn't hold water.
In other words Sloan's motivations and behaviour make complete sense and are sympathetic. Eragon's behaviour only makes sense in the context of his being a nasty little spoilt brat whose upbringing never taught him any goddamn humility.
It's interesting that CP created Sloan and gave him more (any) backstory and motivation than Eragon and treats them totally backward. I tend to be too hard on the choices/actions of fictional children and young adults but change my tune if there's an arc to it or if my own perspective gets shifted at some point (for example, loving Arya in Game of Thrones but taking a while to see the value of Sansa bc she starts out spoiled and wanting eye-roll inducing things). Sometimes it's me, sometimes it's the writing. I think Eragon's arrogance could have been neat once he became a Rider if he'd always dreamed of having some clout and then arced his way back out of it. Vanir might have been the best opportunity for this, but Eragon doesn't see himself in Vanir and gets Power Ups until Vanir is ready to bow down.
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Date: 2022-03-14 04:07 am (UTC)I'm glad you were there to help with perspective and complexity. I worked with 9-16 y/o kids as a summer camp counselor and I found myself in a few discussions that made me nervous--not because I didn't think the kids could handle it, but because I was worried about potential parent reactions (was never an issue, much like most of my worries lol).
I know They say that reading can make people more empathetic, but that must extend to any media that can show another experience. Though in CP's case it doesn't hold water.
In other words Sloan's motivations and behaviour make complete sense and are sympathetic. Eragon's behaviour only makes sense in the context of his being a nasty little spoilt brat whose upbringing never taught him any goddamn humility.
It's interesting that CP created Sloan and gave him more (any) backstory and motivation than Eragon and treats them totally backward. I tend to be too hard on the choices/actions of fictional children and young adults but change my tune if there's an arc to it or if my own perspective gets shifted at some point (for example, loving Arya in Game of Thrones but taking a while to see the value of Sansa bc she starts out spoiled and wanting eye-roll inducing things). Sometimes it's me, sometimes it's the writing. I think Eragon's arrogance could have been neat once he became a Rider if he'd always dreamed of having some clout and then arced his way back out of it. Vanir might have been the best opportunity for this, but Eragon doesn't see himself in Vanir and gets Power Ups until Vanir is ready to bow down.