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What Is A Parallel Character

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Understanding Parallel Characters: A Deep Dive into Literary Comparison



Parallel characters, often overlooked in literary analysis, are crucial for understanding a narrative's themes, complexities, and the author's intent. They are not merely supporting characters; instead, they reflect, contrast, or even subvert the protagonist's journey, enriching the story's depth and resonance. This article will explore the concept of parallel characters, addressing common misconceptions and providing a framework for identifying and analyzing them effectively. Understanding parallel characters enhances our reading comprehension and deepens our appreciation for the nuances of storytelling.

I. Defining Parallel Characters: Beyond Mere Similarity



A parallel character is a character who shares significant similarities or contrasts with another, usually the protagonist, but follows a different path. This comparison is not simply about superficial similarities like age or profession. The parallel lies in thematic relevance—shared struggles, contrasting choices, or opposing outcomes that illuminate the central themes of the story. Think of them as mirrors reflecting different facets of the same issue or contrasting lenses through which the same problem is viewed.

Key Differences from other character types:

Foil Characters: While often confused, foil characters primarily highlight the protagonist's traits through direct contrast. Parallel characters offer a more nuanced comparison, potentially sharing similar traits but diverging in their actions and consequences.
Supporting Characters: Supporting characters serve the protagonist's narrative, often assisting or hindering their journey. Parallel characters have their own independent narratives, even if intertwined with the protagonist's.


II. Identifying Parallel Characters: A Step-by-Step Approach



Identifying parallel characters requires careful observation and analysis. Here's a step-by-step approach:

1. Identify the Protagonist: Understanding the central character's journey and internal conflicts is crucial.
2. Look for Shared Traits: Note similarities in personality traits, motivations, backgrounds, or even challenges faced by other characters. Are there echoes of the protagonist's struggles in another character's story?
3. Analyze Contrasting Choices and Outcomes: Observe how these similar characters make different choices in similar situations. Do these choices lead to contrasting outcomes? This contrast reveals the thematic significance of the parallel.
4. Consider the Narrative's Themes: Do the similarities and differences between the characters illuminate a central theme like fate vs. free will, ambition vs. contentment, or the consequences of different moral choices? The parallel should actively contribute to the story's central message.
5. Analyze the Narrative Structure: Are the parallel characters introduced and developed in a way that directly mirrors or contrasts the protagonist's arc? This structural mirroring emphasizes the parallel.


III. Examples of Parallel Characters in Literature



Let's illustrate with examples:

Elizabeth Bennet and Charlotte Lucas in Pride and Prejudice: Both women are looking for marriage, but their approaches and priorities differ significantly. Elizabeth prioritizes love and compatibility, while Charlotte prioritizes security and social standing. Their contrasting choices and outcomes highlight Austen's exploration of societal pressures on women and the importance of personal values.
George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men: These two share a profound friendship and a common dream, yet their contrasting personalities and capabilities lead to dramatically different fates. Their parallel highlights the theme of the American Dream's unattainability for certain groups and the destructive nature of societal prejudice.
Scrooge and Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol: Although seemingly disparate at first glance, they represent parallel lives shaped by contrasting approaches to wealth and compassion. Their parallel highlights the theme of redemption and the transformative power of empathy.


IV. Analyzing the Significance of Parallel Characters



Once identified, analyzing parallel characters requires focusing on the following:

Thematic Resonance: How does the comparison enhance the story's overall message? What insights do the similarities and differences reveal about the central themes?
Character Development: How does the parallel character's narrative contribute to a deeper understanding of the protagonist? What aspects of the protagonist's personality or journey are highlighted or challenged by the comparison?
Narrative Structure: How does the author use the parallel character to create suspense, foreshadowing, or irony? How does the parallel affect the pacing and overall structure of the narrative?


V. Conclusion



Understanding parallel characters is essential for a comprehensive literary analysis. They enrich the narrative by offering multifaceted perspectives on central themes and enhancing character development. By carefully identifying shared traits, contrasting choices, and analyzing thematic resonance, we can unlock deeper layers of meaning and appreciation within a story.


FAQs



1. Can a character be parallel to more than one character? Yes, a character can serve as a parallel to multiple characters, creating a complex web of comparisons and contrasts, enriching the thematic complexity.

2. Are all parallel characters explicitly stated as such by the author? No. The identification of parallel characters often requires careful observation and interpretation of the narrative. The author might not explicitly state the parallel.

3. Can antagonists also be parallel characters? Yes, an antagonist can be a parallel character to the protagonist, highlighting contrasting values or approaches to similar challenges.

4. How do parallel characters contribute to the overall plot? They can drive the plot forward, create conflict, introduce new perspectives, and ultimately contribute to the resolution of the central conflict or the revelation of the thematic message.

5. What is the difference between a parallel character and a doppelgänger? While both share similarities, a doppelgänger is usually a near-identical copy, often with a darker or more sinister counterpart. A parallel character's similarity focuses more on thematic resonance and shared struggles, not necessarily on physical or literal mirroring.

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What is parallel character? - brainly.com A parallel character is a character whose traits, experiences, or conflicts mirror those of another character, used to emphasise or contrast aspects of their characters. This concept relates to …

Is it possible for a character to be both a parallel and a ... - Reddit 6 Sep 2022 · Is it possible for a character to be both a parallel and a foil to another, and if so what are some examples? In literature, a parallel character is one who is very similar to another character, like say Hamlet and Laeretes. While a foil is very different from another character, like say Goku and Vegeta.

Using Parallel Characters in a TPRS® Classroom - TPRS Books But what exactly are parallel characters and how can you easily add them to your class routine for providing more input for your students? What is a parallel character? In the Look, I Can Talk Teacher’s Guide (2018), a parallel character is defined in the first lesson on page 9.

How do you go about writing parallels? : r/writing - Reddit 2 Jul 2023 · What do you mean specifically by "parallels?" To me, a good parallel becomes recognised later in the story. You set the seeds early on and then have a singular moment that defines their parallel. Which retroactively makes those seeds make the reader realize they were always parallels.

Is there a more literary term for a "parallel" in a story? 25 May 2015 · The closest word I can find to describe what is a "parallel". I see this word used a lot on the internet to describe (usually in TV shows) when something that one character did in a past episode is similar to something that a character (usually different, but I've also seen it used to point out character development via slight differences in ...

What is a parallel in literature? - California Learning Resource … 4 Jan 2025 · A parallel is a powerful tool used by writers to convey complex ideas, themes, and emotions to their audience. In this article, we will delve into the world of parallelism, exploring its meaning, types, and examples.

5 Basic Literary Devices That Will Deepen Your Fiction 6 Jun 2014 · Mirror characters are used for a similar purpose. They tend to share several qualities and are used to complement and highlight each other’s traits. Common mirror characters embark on parallel plots, sometimes to achieve a single goal, which tests them and highlights their traits in …

Parallel Symbol (∥) In geometry, the parallel symbol is used to denote two lines that are parallel to each other. Typically the parallel symbol is used in an expression like this: In plain language, this means that the line is parallel to the line .

Parallelism - Definition and Examples - LitCharts Parallelism is a figure of speech in which two or more elements of a sentence (or series of sentences) have the same grammatical structure. These "parallel" elements can be used to intensify the rhythm of language, or to draw a comparison, emphasize, or elaborate on an idea.

What Is A Parallel Character - globaldatabase.ecpat.org A parallel character is a character who shares significant similarities or contrasts with another, usually the protagonist, but follows a different path. This comparison is not simply about superficial similarities like age or profession.

Parallel Plot Structure in Literature | Nonlinear Plots - Storyboard That What are Parallel Stories? The term parallel stories, also referred to as parallel narratives or parallel plots, denotes a story structure in which the writer includes two or more separate narratives linked by a common character, event, or theme. Parallel stories enrich a work and have been used by playwrights and novelists for centuries.

Rethinking Protagonists and Antagonists: Parallel and … 12 Dec 2017 · Meaning, each character can be viewed, depending on the perspective—or the way you tilt the t—as being the one whose quest is interrupted. Vader interrupts Luke’s quest, but Luke interrupts Vader’s, too. Characters do not need to remain parallel or …

Writing Parallel Narratives: What They Are and How To Write Them 8 Apr 2023 · If you know, love, and are ready to work with your two, living, breathing characters, then you can intertwine and interconnect those stories beautifully, as the characters will drive their own narratives.

What is a Parallel Plot? Examples, Definitions, and How to Create … 12 Apr 2023 · A parallel plot isn’t simply two stories happening at the same time. They need to be connected and interwoven, like the threads of a tapestry. This can be achieved through shared events, characters that appear in both stories, or similarities in the characters’ emotional journeys.

Mirror Character - TV Tropes Mirror Characters, also known as Parallel Characters in some literary circles, almost certainly share personality traits, values, similar skill sets, and possibly even goals and likely a narrative arc.

Parallel novel - Wikipedia A parallel novel is an in-universe (but often non-canonical) pastiche (or sometimes sequel) piece of literature written within, derived from, or taking place during the framework of another work of fiction by the same or another author with respect to continuity.

Best way to write parallels between characters? : r/WritingHub 18 Oct 2023 · Basically, how do I best write parallels between characters without it coming across as cut/copy/pasting a character? How should parallelism be used?

What is Parallel Structure? Definition and Examples - Scribophile Parallel structure, sometimes called parallelism, means balancing words, phrases, or ideas to make them seem equally important. When referring to grammar, parallel structure means using two or more phrases that match in grammatical structure and verb tense.

Define parallel character - Homework.Study.com Parallel characters, also known as mirror characters, are characters who share many similarities with each other. These similarities can be related to...

What are parallel characters? - Answers A parallel character is another character (in the same piece of literature or another) that is very similar if not almost exactly the same as the original character chosen.