Character Quote by Andrew Lam
“When a well-rounded character takes over, he doesn't lecture you about his history and how he is misunderstood. He lives his life, does things that are unexpected, and makes you laugh and cry because of his human flaws and foibles.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Well‑Rounded Character" in The New Yorker, 2019
A complex character who lives authentically, defying expectations, evokes both humor and pathos.
In simple terms: Authentic, flawed characters move us.
Key Takeaway
Embrace complexity.
Themes
literature
character
humanity
Mood
thoughtful
empathetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- character development
- storytelling
- personal growth
Key Concepts
narrative depth
empathy
vulnerability
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance relatability and depth?
- What makes a character feel human?
A Different Perspective
Complexity can alienate some audiences.
![“After twenty years and thirty stories, thirteen pieces were finally selected and the collection was born. So far, the blurbs from [authors] Maxine Hong Kingston, Gish Jen, Robert Olen Butler, Oscar Hijuelos and others, have been most encouraging.” quote by Andrew Lam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a5b/andrew-lam-21834_books_after-twenty-years-and-thirty-stories-th_940826.jpg)
