Does the Protaganist always have to win?

By Aang · Feb 15, 2018 · ·
  1. Hello everyone

    I'm new the writing game and I'm working on my first work. I came across a issue. My Father feel that the Hero should always win the big battle, but I want to subvert the troupe and have him lose. We both see valid points in the others opinion, and I'd just like a second opinion.

Comments

  1. Corbyn
    There is no right or wrong answer to your question. It just depends on what kind of story you are writing. The hero doesn't always win in fiction. I could list many stories (and book series) that end with the protagonist dying. Arguably, their goal may have been met, but did they really win if they died? I would suggest reading a few tragedy based stories to get a feel for that kind of story if of course, you're not sure that's the type you want to write. Good, bad or otherwise, a reader is going to stick with you if you've written a character well, and their story (and character arch) have progressed throughout the piece. Often we read to figure out what happens to a character, not to see if they win or lose. It's the journey that's the fun part.
  2. SadStories
    My characters always "lose" and there are plenty of examples of this in literature.

    The important thing is that you make the loss feel satisfying and meaningful

    If they just lose at some random point, and that's it, you won't have a good ending.

    (Same goes if they just win at some random point though.)

    Be aware that most people want stories with happy endings, just like romance and detective novels are more likely to sell than many other types of novels, so you are probably alienating some of your potential audience this way. But do you care?
  3. Aang
    Thank you for the help.
  4. GrahamLewis
    There is absolutely no reason that the protagonist must "win." And remember that the protagonist will sometimes be a "bad" guy who loses in the end -- or wins. Life isn't predictable, and realistic writing should reflect life. Take the story where it goes, and remember that there is always good mixed with the bad in a character, and vice-versa.
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