The Two Defining Categories of Characters
Everyone has a different way of reacting and dealing with death. Some people buckle and fall to their knees, while others fight through the fear and grief. This difference separates characters into two categories: tough characters and soft characters. Soft characters are not weaker than their tough counterparts, but they have less experience with death and the darkness of the world. The characters in the tough group have become unfazed by death because of their exposure to the worst things in life. Often these people are unaffected by the prospect of their own death, and participate in daring feats of bravery despite the dire consequences. The way that people react to death separates people into two …show more content…
“Even in the face of Armageddon I shall not compromise” is the phrase he repeats throughout Watchmen, and it is this stubborn determination that makes him the toughest character. Rorschach’s recollection of some of the most brutal moments he has witnessed explain how he became the anti-hero shown in Watchmen. The moment that triggered his shift into the tough category came during his failed attempt to save Blaire Roche, a kidnapped six year old girl. Rorschach calls himself soft up until that point, and even explains in his diary that the true Rorschach was born on that day: “Soft on scum. Too young to know any better. Molly-coddled them. Let them live”. Rorschach is a rare example of a character in the tough category who also has experience killing someone. When he kills the kidnapper and his dogs he makes the final leap from ‘soft’ to ‘tough’, and he never looks …show more content…
Mikage has experienced the death of her entire family, and has become a strong independent woman in the tough group. When she lives with Yuichi and her mother, she displays her strength by helping around the apartment and still being an active member of society and not shrinking away from everyone and everything. When Yuichi’s mother dies, the difference between him and Mikage becomes very evident as he collapses. The collapse culminates to him escaping to a hotel far away from the apartment for an indefinite amount of time. Another clear distinction between tough and soft characters is presented here: tough characters do not allow their emotions and behavior to affect those around them. If they feel any emotion, they keep it to themselves, whereas soft characters expose themselves to everyone, regardless of relation. Mikage is unfazed by Yuichi’s change in character however, and she helps him recover by making the magnificent feast. “Take the car. Buy everything on this list and bring it back. I’m going to make all your favorite foods, so I hope you’ll be quick about it, since the sooner you get back, the sooner you’ll be digging in”. Mikage is trying to teach Yuichi how to be a tough character. She makes Yuichi remain busy to keep him from thinking about Eriko’s death. She is using the knowledge she has learned through her experiences with
Everyone has a different way of reacting and dealing with death. Some people buckle and fall to their knees, while others fight through the fear and grief. This difference separates characters into two categories: tough characters and soft characters. Soft characters are not weaker than their tough counterparts, but they have less experience with death and the darkness of the world. The characters in the tough group have become unfazed by death because of their exposure to the worst things in life. Often these people are unaffected by the prospect of their own death, and participate in daring feats of bravery despite the dire consequences. The way that people react to death separates people into two …show more content…
“Even in the face of Armageddon I shall not compromise” is the phrase he repeats throughout Watchmen, and it is this stubborn determination that makes him the toughest character. Rorschach’s recollection of some of the most brutal moments he has witnessed explain how he became the anti-hero shown in Watchmen. The moment that triggered his shift into the tough category came during his failed attempt to save Blaire Roche, a kidnapped six year old girl. Rorschach calls himself soft up until that point, and even explains in his diary that the true Rorschach was born on that day: “Soft on scum. Too young to know any better. Molly-coddled them. Let them live”. Rorschach is a rare example of a character in the tough category who also has experience killing someone. When he kills the kidnapper and his dogs he makes the final leap from ‘soft’ to ‘tough’, and he never looks …show more content…
Mikage has experienced the death of her entire family, and has become a strong independent woman in the tough group. When she lives with Yuichi and her mother, she displays her strength by helping around the apartment and still being an active member of society and not shrinking away from everyone and everything. When Yuichi’s mother dies, the difference between him and Mikage becomes very evident as he collapses. The collapse culminates to him escaping to a hotel far away from the apartment for an indefinite amount of time. Another clear distinction between tough and soft characters is presented here: tough characters do not allow their emotions and behavior to affect those around them. If they feel any emotion, they keep it to themselves, whereas soft characters expose themselves to everyone, regardless of relation. Mikage is unfazed by Yuichi’s change in character however, and she helps him recover by making the magnificent feast. “Take the car. Buy everything on this list and bring it back. I’m going to make all your favorite foods, so I hope you’ll be quick about it, since the sooner you get back, the sooner you’ll be digging in”. Mikage is trying to teach Yuichi how to be a tough character. She makes Yuichi remain busy to keep him from thinking about Eriko’s death. She is using the knowledge she has learned through her experiences with