Living Character Quote by Graham Greene
““Always I find when I begin to write there is one character who obstinately will not come alive...He never does the unexpected thing, he never surprises me, he never takes charge. Every other character helps, he only hinders. And yet one cannot do without him. I can imagine a God feeling in just that way about some of us. The saints, one would suppose, in a sense create themselves. They come alive. They are capable of the surprising act or word. The stand outside the plot, unconditioned by it. But we have to be pushed around. We have the obstinancy of non-existence. We are inextricably bound to the plot, and wearily God forces us, here and there, according to his intention, characters without poetry, without free will, whose only importance is that somewhere, at some time, we help to furnish the scene in which a living character moves and speaks, perhaps the saints with the opportunities for their free will.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Writing, 1975
A stubborn, non‑conforming character represents the essential, often invisible, forces that shape narrative and life.
In simple terms: The hindering character is vital.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and integrate the disruptive element.
Themes
writing
character development
creativity
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Novel drafting
- screenwriting
- personal introspection
- team dynamics
Key Concepts
Narrative theory
free will
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does resistance play in your work?
- How can you transform obstacles into catalysts?
A Different Perspective
Such characters may cause paralysis if not balanced.
