I spent last week at Norwescon, a science fiction and fantasy convention with a literary focus that’s held every year over Easter weekend in SeaTac. There were a variety of panels. I went to several of them. I took notes. These are from them.
The first panel I went to was called Reluctant Heroes. The description in the Guidebook reads:
Reluctant Heroes
Some heroes aren’t born, they’re dragged kicking and screaming into heroics. Who are our favorite reluctant heroes? What makes them unlikely, and what makes them heroic despite their resistance to action?
Erica L. Satifka (M), Shiv Ramdas, Brenda Carre, Brianna Tibbetts
The first note I made was the title of a book, How to Get to Apocalypse and Other Disasters, which I have since found on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/How-Get-Apocalypse-Other-Disasters/dp/1933846178
I didn’t put any context around it, so I have no idea why. Probably it has stories in it that relate to reluctant heroes? The blurb gives no such indication. This is the danger of my note-taking methods. Sometimes, I just have to read the book to find out why I should read it.
Back to the discussion, it was pointed out that there may be different reasons the hero is reluctant. Usually, they don’t think they’re the ones who can do it. “Who am I to save the world? I’m just a farm boy.” Or they might be capable, and know themselves to be capable, but also well aware of the cost. “I don’t want to live the short violent life of the Slayer and then die. I want to go to the prom.”
They might also be willing to act, but reticent to seek heroism. No examples were given of this one. Or, if there were, I didn’t write them down.
Sometimes, the sidekick becomes the hero. Like if Frodo had actually been dead at Cirith Ungul and Sam took the ring to Mount Doom. (Sorry about the spoiler if you haven’t read it yet.) Another example was in London’s Overthrow by China Mieville.
More Examples
- Some other examples of well-known Reluctant Heroes:
- Rincewind (From Terry Pratchett)
- Garrak (From Deep Space Nine)
- The Big Lebowski
- And every character Jackie Chan has ever played.
Why is the hero so reluctant?
Originally, stories of common people trying to become heroes were morality tales. They fail and suffer for not knowing their place. See also, “Hubris” from all your Greek mythology classes.
Being reluctant to be a hero makes it OK. In the words of one panelist, it “democratizes heroism.” Lets anyone be a hero without the gods punishing them, because they only did what was necessary and didn’t step on the toes of their “betters.”
More examples: Mystery Men. Overreached, and succeeded, but were never reluctant heroes. (I haven’t seen it, so I can’t give my own opinion as to the veracity of this statement.)
Moses. The one from the Bible. He kept trying to get out of it, kept coming up with excuses, and God kept getting around them. “But I don’t talk good.” “Fine, I conscript your brother to speak for you.”
When does the hero stop being reluctant?
Answer: Eventually.
They have to eventually embrace it and be all in, otherwise they are either wishy-washy or whiny, which are both bad things for a hero to be. Notice at no time after about season 4 did Buffy claim to just want a normal life and be a normal girl.
Villains?
Can you be a reluctant villain? Absolutely. See also Dr. Horrible, and Thomas Cromwell (from Wolf Hall.) Danaerys from Game of Thrones was both. She started out as a reluctant hero, and transformed into a reluctant villain. (And then, suddenly, into over-the-top mustache-twirling villain in the rather disappointing “twist” in late season eight.)
“The best villains are over-enthusiastic heroes.”
I don’t remember who said it, but I liked the quote.
I think Victor from Yellow Tape and Coffee is a good example of that. And maybe Killmonger from the Black Panther movie.
What traits does your reluctant hero have?
Insecurity: Fear of failure. Doesn’t think they’re the right one for the job.
In an unfamiliar environment: Similar to above. One example given was a farmer in an office. Perhaps a gardener in a war. Sam Gamgee is one who, out of place, managed to become a hero and still escape being known as one.
Also, it depends on the genre. In a horror story, reluctance is smart.