The Problem with the Chosen One
11:05:00 AM
In young adult literature, many young protagonists fall into a game changing role because of a bloodline, birthright, or prophecy. They are the 'chosen ones,' and they have built up quite a reputation amongst readers. Iconic characters such as Harry Potter and Percy Jackson quickly come to mind, but there are many others who found their path because of a predestined factor. This can be a really intriguing aspect of the story and can be done very well, as J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan have shown us, but it can also present some constraints to the character. In many cases, having a chosen one creates a scenario in which personal choice takes a back seat to circumstance, and it feeds the developmental limitations of young readers.
If you take a quick dive into the psychology of teenagers, it's pretty clear why these characters have a strong popularity with their target audience. Starting at around age twelve, young adults experience something called the personal fable. This is a concept that leads them to believe that they are unique and special compared to everyone around them. A teenager will look at their surroundings and feel as though they are living out an exclusive experience that no one else can understand, making them the chosen one of their everyday lives. Every teenager wants to believe they would be the one to get the Hogwarts letter or discover a magical family history. When I was in high school, I can very clearly remember feeling as though I was meant for something greater than my little teenage world, waiting faithfully for my shining moment of destiny to arrive. If it was meant to be, it should have just fallen into my lap, right?
Shockingly, I discovered that if I wanted any sort of greatness, I was going to have to work for it. This is a realization that comes with growing up and understanding that, while fate and destiny may still play a role in our lives, we are the ones who have to make the choices that lead us through our experiences. The only prophecy for us is the one we write for ourselves.
Providing teenage readers with characters that fully back up the idea of these personal fables doesn't really show them what it's like to step outside of them and refrain from relying on destiny to make things happen. Knowing this, the chosen one isn't exactly a concept that needs to be wiped out from YA, even though the trend has certainly declined in recent years. Of course, there are going to be situations in which fate has an impact on the character's life, and you can't ignore such factors in storytelling. Obviously, Luke Skywalker's parents were going to affect his path, but we got to see a lot of who he was before he even knew his father was Darth Vader. His transformation from whiny apprentice to a heroic Jedi went far beyond his family ties.
Jon Snow is another really great example of this. Whether the R+L=J theory is true or not, Jon's life has always been affected by the past, setting him apart from his siblings and making it all the more difficult for him to establish an identity. However, he becomes a well rounded, adored character not because he may very well be the embodiment of a song of ice and fire, but because he has learned how to be a hero through making mistakes, learning from mentors, and doing what he believes is the right thing. His heritage and the clouded past surrounding it is something that he must overcome as he carries it as a weight on his shoulders, and that adds depth to his characterization while also letting him thrive outside of it.
Where you come from and pieces of the past tend to play a part in who you are, and sometimes the plot calls for it, but I want know more about the character. I want them to be able to stand on their own beyond the prophetic aspect.
No matter what the circumstances are, it is so much more compelling to promote characters who become heroes because of their bravery, wit, and heart. If something was destined to happen from the very beginning, where is the tension? Where is the inner conflict that forces the character to make difficult decisions and reach the arcs that let them grow? Even if there is some sort of preordained factor put into play, the emphasis should be put on the character's choices and not on the parts of their situation that are beyond their control, such as who their parents are or what hidden ability they were born with. These do not define a good character. They help make up a skeleton, but everything else comes from within.
When thinking about how to approach this kind of issue, The Hero's Journey is an excellent tool and path to follow when constructing any YA protagonist. It presents the need for choice and growth and shows the development of the qualities of heroism. Remember when Samwise Gamgee stepped over that line in the field and walked away from The Shire? That crossing of the threshold was a huge moment for him and marked the beginning of a long process in which his own choices would lead him to the story's climax and resolution. Showing how a character adapts to their situation and how they handle the tests, allies, and enemies they are faced with is what really drives their story forward and makes them someone the reader keeps turning the pages for.
There are billions of people in this world, and if there ever is a chosen one, odds are it's not going to be me. In stories, those who aren't chosen matter just as much as the ones who are, and I want to root for someone who takes on challenges and fear with no promise of making it to the end. Characters don't need prophecies in order for their adventures to be heroic, and readers need protagonists who take their lives into their own hands.
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