2006.03.26
Halflings in Fiction
Why is it halflings in fiction always have to choose one half or the other? I’m reading Inu Yasha at work and the title character is a half demon, half human. The question seems to come up often which side he’ll choose. Maybe this changes with time (I’m only on volume seven) but it does beg the question: why does he have to choose either?
I think it would be far more interesting to develop a character who is trying to integrate both halves into a unique whole, making himself something more. Maybe at the beginning of the story he doesn’t even realize this is a possibility, and he’s being pulled back and forth by the people around him that care about him to be one or the other.
The process on integrating two aspects of a self, especially two parts that are at extreme odds, makes for a more interesting and realistic story. If you have to choose one or the other you might as well flip a coin. What’s the point? But integrating these conflicting halves eliminates an either/or choice and we have to follow the process.
Are there any stories like this out there?
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4 Responses to “Halflings in Fiction”
- Uncle Roger says (March 27th, 2006 at 12:03:08 )
I dunno about fiction, but check out thehomesickhome.blogspot.com — real life halflings.
Half Japanese, Half American, Buddhist father, Catholic mother, etc.
- douglas says (March 27th, 2006 at 12:39:45 )
Not quite what I had in mind, but interesting stuff. I guess the only real “halfling” in the family is their child. It would be interesting to follow his thoughts on the whole “situation” he’s in.
Any fiction examples?
- Mookee says (March 27th, 2006 at 21:23:11 )
The Gerbil Man. Half Richard Gere and half … well … gerbil. Interesting story. He never chooses either, and in fact, does try to unite them in one big hole.
- douglas says (March 27th, 2006 at 22:43:59 )
Somehow that’s not quite what I was looking for, though that’s an interesting fiction (some might even argue non-fiction).
