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Old 07-21-2011, 02:13 PM
 
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I don't identify with characters in books I read .... but I do get attached to characters and their friends and family. Some books I just don't want to end because I like the story and characters so much.
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Old 07-21-2011, 02:28 PM
 
Location: Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plain and simple View Post
How so? Relating to characters isn't my number one objective but it sure adds to the enjoyment of a novel.
I think some people are using the words identify and relate interchangeably while others are not. Cida talked about not identifying with characters - which to my mind is different than relating to them which is the word you used.

To me, to identify with a character means that the character is in some way a reflection of you or perhaps characteristic that you wish you had or admire.

To relate to a character, for me, is what happens when a writer depicts a character so beautifully you can see what makes him or her tick. Which to me also means that I can almost see, hear and touch what the characters are doing. Which has nothing to do with whether they are admirable.

I do get attached to certain characters, as CarolinaWoman wrote, meaning I find them likable, like real people. But that doesn't mean their lives resemble mine, or that they act in situations the way I would act. It only means that I can see their POV, thanks to the skill of the writer.

I believe the original question was whether one identifies with the characters. Of course only the OP can answer what he meant by that but the above is what I thought he meant by that.

Last edited by netwit; 07-21-2011 at 02:30 PM.. Reason: got my identifiers and relators all screwed up
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Old 07-21-2011, 02:30 PM
 
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I identify myself to particular personality characteristics in the characters but never yet to a single character. I love to read about characters that have qualities that I would like to have or characters that I adore (male) that have that personality I enjoy reading about but I'm not sure it would really work in real life of they were real people.

I read to get completely immersed in someone elses world, not to find a character that is too similar to my personality or that I can identify with.
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