Relation with the environment

The way your hero relates to his/her environment reveals his/her position in this world, socially, professionally and within the family. In describing his/her general attitude to the outside world, you will outline the character’s inner life, inclinations, desires and dreams. Your hero, like everyone, is interested in what touches him/her most. Does he/she believe in God? Go to church? Belong to organizations? Play in a sports club? Read the newspapers? If so, which ones?

Our choices and commitments reveal who we are.

Example

Stanley is twelve but small for his age and his classmates tease him, calling him a dwarf. He suffers from what he sees as a handicap. He keeps away from them to avoid their jeering. He prefers to stay in his room reading adventure books, drawing the Himalayas and watching documentaries on TV. His dream is to be a mountain climber.

EXERCISE 14 Describe your characters’ position and attitude towards their environment.

HELP Think about your hero’s childhood and education, what he/she was told about life and the world. Think about what he/she was taught about good and evil, what was allowed and what wasn’t. Think about what he/she discovered growing up and what may have surprised or left a deep impression on him/her.

We all believed certain things before discovering they weren’t true. And that formed our personality. What has your hero understood about life and what is his/her attitude towards existence? Is he/she open, curious and attentive to others, or reserved, wary and watchful, or severe, even aggressive?