'And a special acknowledgment to the author of Niven's Law: "There is a technical, literary term for those who mistake the opinions and beliefs of characters in a novel for those of the author. The term is 'idiot'."'
- S.M. Stirling, quoted on Wikipedia
Okay that's not entirely true. Authors have been using their "fictional" characters to express their own views and opinions since the dawn of writing.
I think you should follow more author's blogs.
L. E. Modesitt, Jr. has written several posts on his blog over the years about readers sending him letters and fans at signings assuming his characters are true reflections of his ideals. They are not.
Firstly L.E.M. writes for a living. His books must sell.
Secondly L.E.M. likes to use his books to pose moral and ethical questions to he readers. To do this some of his protagonist have committed mass killings that make Hitler and Stalin look like infants.
The characters do not reflect his true beliefs, but rather reflect beliefs that he wants readers to question and judge.
Assuming that a character is a true reflection of an author's beliefs without knowing the author's motivation for writing the story is just very shortsighted. Get to know the author, then form your opinion.
Edit: To clarify your not wrong about authors using fictional characters to express their own beliefs. But not everyone does this.
last edited at May 30, 2018 8:24PM