So, I read a comment in the Chronological Read section that might warrant some more discussion on its own. Here's the comment.
Robert wrote: "I think you're right in that. But I think there's still a gulf between "archetype" and "caricature.""
We were discussing how, since Star Wars falls into the Space Opera sub-genre, caricatures are usually okay, but that some authors raise the storytelling bar and bring certain characters (like droids) out of the realm of caricature and develop them.
I wonder how much difference there really is between caricature and archetype in Star Wars. It could be said that the droids aren't caracitures at all. They're just used as story elements--like talking furniture. Farbeit from me to compare R2-D2 to a rolling mini-fridge, but it seems ot me that some characters--like droids--are generally there to further the plot. Therefore, they don't fall into either category, and are just used as plot devices. A caricature to me is a character like the "funny drunk" or "rebellious youth." Or, if we want to be politically incorrect, the math-wiz Japanese kid. A literary stereotype that has one feature exaggerated. On the other hand, an archetype is an established trope for a character--the Christ/King Arthur figure, the scoundrel, the damsel in distress...to me, these are totally distinct from caricatures in the strictest sense.
Anyway, that's my thinking on it. What do all y'all think?
Robert wrote: "I think you're right in that. But I think there's still a gulf between "archetype" and "caricature.""
We were discussing how, since Star Wars falls into the Space Opera sub-genre, caricatures are usually okay, but that some authors raise the storytelling bar and bring certain characters (like droids) out of the realm of caricature and develop them.
I wonder how much difference there really is between caricature and archetype in Star Wars. It could be said that the droids aren't caracitures at all. They're just used as story elements--like talking furniture. Farbeit from me to compare R2-D2 to a rolling mini-fridge, but it seems ot me that some characters--like droids--are generally there to further the plot. Therefore, they don't fall into either category, and are just used as plot devices. A caricature to me is a character like the "funny drunk" or "rebellious youth." Or, if we want to be politically incorrect, the math-wiz Japanese kid. A literary stereotype that has one feature exaggerated. On the other hand, an archetype is an established trope for a character--the Christ/King Arthur figure, the scoundrel, the damsel in distress...to me, these are totally distinct from caricatures in the strictest sense.
Anyway, that's my thinking on it. What do all y'all think?