Anastasia is only a minor character but one who I would like to have a huge impact on my other characters. All my characters are quite grey so she is the most righteous of them all. She's important in the world as a young Queen by being gravely ill all her life has taught her humility and how precious life is. Her sister (my protagonist) has donated blood, bone marrow and even organs all Ana's life to keep her alive, this has caused Ana guilt. Her sister has suffered grueling operations just for her and she feels she's never given anything back. So, when her sister's life is in danger Ana sacrifices her life for her, hoping it will also repair their fractured relationship. I wanted to link together Ana's fatal flaw, her motivation (guilt and desire to repair their relationship) and her fear together to explain why she is prepared to make this sacrifice despite how hard she's fought to live and that her death will result in Civil War in her Kingdom (something I want to happen). I want it to be more than “just because she's good and loves her sister”. I trying but drawing a blank when it comes to this. Maybe I've been working on this too long. I just need some inspiration to get me going. As always much appreciated. x
Has she fought for her life? Or have others fought for her and she’s just been carried along because she felt unable to reject their gifts of life? Perhaps sacrificing herself is an easy way out of her personal suffering as well as lessening the guilt?
I like that idea. Their Mother has mostly fought for her life to the point it's become an obsession to save her child. Ana has endured the suffering of her Mother's goal but technically, if it weren't for her Mother and her sister's sacrifices she's be dead now. She fought for them really and for the peace in her Kingdom, as long as she lives their is no competition for the throne. P.S I do have to research in what circumstances a Civil War could happen in a Kingdom without a clear heir to the throne once an established ruler dies. So having two people being equally illegible. Know nothing about Civil War in history so I'll have to make it work.
Why will her death cause a civil war though? If she's one of the eligible claimants to the throne, it would seem that her death will prevent the war. Generally, the influential people in the country will coalesce behind each claimant, to the point where they go to war to support their chosen candidate. It will depend on the political and military structures of your kingdom.
Well if there's no one to take place as ruler, my thinking was, those eligible would fight to see who gets it. Maybe Civil war is the wrong term. Like I said, I have no clue yet and need to research and think it through. Maybe research the War of the Roses as I know next to nothing about that event. Someone pointed me in that direction earlier.
That's right, but you're saying her (Ana's) death would cause a civil war. I assume she is one of the claimants. If she's dead, there's only one claimant (her sister), so there's no cause for war. That could actually be a reason why she sacrifices her life.
That's right, but you're saying her (Ana's) death would cause a civil war. I assume she is one of the claimants. If she's dead, there's only one claimant (her sister), so there's no cause for war. That could actually be a reason why she sacrifices her life. Ana's sister cannot claim the throne in my world. My world mixes magic and science. Ana's "sister" is actually a magical clone created to provide Ana with the things she needs to survive. Clones are seen as a sub-class of citizen and simply there to provide what is needed. This wasn't my question so I didn't get into it technically. But if you're willing to help me solve this problem in my plot I'm grateful. I should also add my plot isn't concrete, this is an early concept and a war was just an idea I brain stormed. I liked the idea of a conflict for Ana between her family and her Kingdom. I just don't want to waste your time when I may not even use that war idea.
So she doesn't see her sister the same way as the rest of the population? How is her sister treated by the rest of the people? If Ana dies, how will her sister be treated then, as the reason for her existence is now gone?
Ana is limited to her society. She values her as her sister as they grew up together, but the world and their mother does not. All clones, once their use is for filled are either exterminated or donated to experiments in medical advancement. Either for advancement of medicines, practice for students. But the inner details of my plot are just brain stormed idea. Same with my characters so far. I brain storm ideas then try to fit everything together.
Pretty much if they can find her. Although a spare seat on the throne could provide a distraction and there is a hiding place for clones who need it. She sacrifices herself so her sister can get to safety.
My thoughts: Everyone around you is constantly making sacrifices and helping you. You constantly feel obliged to others. At the same time, you are nothing more than a burden for everyone around you. It would be better for everyone if you did not exist. These thoughts begin to sit in your head, you want to help others, you want to repay the debt, but you cannot because of your futility and dependence on others. The only thing you can do is to pretend that it’s not painful and not so hard. You want not to exist, but you do not want to be mourned for you. When it becomes possible to sacrifice yourself for someone, you will gladly agree, it will not only save you from your torment, but you will also feel better that you have at least partially repaid your debt. "The loneliest people are the kindest. The saddest people smile the brightest. The most damaged people are the wisest. All because they do not wish to see anyone else suffer the way they do."
