Admirable Quote by Scarlett Thomas
“Some writers, notably Anton Chekov, argue that all characters must be admirable, because once we've looked at anyone deeply enough and understood their motivation we must identify with them rather than judge them.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Art of Character” by Scarlett Thomas, 2010
Characters need depth, not necessarily admiration; understanding motives fosters empathy over judgment.
In simple terms: Understanding motives builds empathy.
Key Takeaway
Seek to understand before judging characters.
Themes
empathy
character development
literary analysis
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
literary
educational
When to use this quote
- reading groups
- writing classes
- character workshops
Key Concepts
psychology
narrative theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does knowing a character’s backstory affect your view?
- Can a flawed character still be relatable?
A Different Perspective
Admiration isn’t required for compelling characters.
![“I didn't get a chance to meet Glen [Beck] for this movie. I did meet him a few years ago, coincidentally, before any of this happened. But I've been familiar with his work, so I felt I wanted to get it right. I wanted to honor him. I respect him and I think the way he does his job is admirable…” quote by Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bee/zachary-quinto-4021_admirable_i-didn-t-get-a-chance-to-meet-glen-beck_138334.jpg)
![“They really do have nothing in common on paper, these people and him. But yet there are so many common reference points; even some unexpected ones. . . .they all want to be cool. And they're all scared but no good at showing it. . . . [t]hey all know how to act cool. after all, life's pretty scary…” quote by Scarlett Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0b7/scarlett-thomas-8232_danger_they-really-do-have-nothing-in-common-on_335741.jpg)
