Quote:
Originally Posted by DiapDealer
Yes, I remember those rants. Young people should always be portrayed as the ignorant, unmotivated, inept turds that they all really are--even in fantasy. Any attempts to portray them as being heroic, smart, unselfish--or remotely capable, really--should be discouraged until they reach their fictitious nineteenth birthdays. Can't have them poisoning real young peoples' minds with insidious ideas like ... mattering in a big way, for heaven's sake. That would be horrible. 
Ya old poop. 
I'm not sure it needs to. I think they're going to try and separate themselves from the medieval European fantasy trope altogether. |
Given that I find any type of story or fantasy in which TEENS are saving the world, or, by and large, twenty-something, utterly absurd, I guess everyone adjusts the "hero age level" according to their own lights. (I don't know if it's something to do with the older I get, or the current generation, or...?, but lately, every young person I see on TV seems to be utterly self-absorbed and unrealistic, even by TV standards, to the point of just giving up on shows with that type of character-"development"-arc.)
I agree with the general gist--that the idea of heroism is someone who is unique amongst his or her peers, and not everyday. Ergo, the average 14-y.o. or 24-y.o or 40-y.o., etc., isn't
going to be heroic, regardless of age. Therefore, I think that the age question is moot--isn't it? In today's market, VERY few writers/showrunners are going to create books/stories in which a 50-y.o. Frodo goes on an epic journey--are they? Not bloody likely. I was beyond relieved when Doctor Who stopped his Benjamin Button-esque march
toward the next incarnation showing up in damned diapers.
Hitch