Harry Higgins and other Unlikely (Unlikeable?) Heroes
Tomorrow is Eliza Doolittle Day (I’m not making that up. It is.), which, naturally enough, made me think of My Fair Lady and Henry Higgins. Which, of course, made me think about the type of hero Henry Higgins is. Hence the post.
So, I don’t like Henry Higgins. I think he’s condescending, snide, irritating, and generally paternalistic. I just do not understand the appeal of Harry Higgins as romantic interest. But, clearly, someone does. And just as clearly, someone likes him. Which indicates that a good story can carry off even the most unlikely of character types.
I have to say that in this post I am likely to lose mucho cred as a writer of romance, but I cannot be swayed from my opinions on the matter of unlikeable heroes. I can’t get into a story where I find the hero to be, well, asshat-ish. I want to be clear here. Moments of asshattery are fine. Heroes and heroines both have them, and they make the characters human and help keep the tension going. And there’s a level of snide and a bit jerk-ish that I can go for. After all, I have serious bitch tendencies. And I might even be persuaded if the character starts off as an asshat but redeems themselves – though it would have to be a serious redemption. And we aren’t talking about the whole rape/forced seduction thing.
No, what we’re talking about here is sustained and continued asshattery of the personality and non-sexual kind. Like Henry Higgins, who never sees himself as anything but superior and righteous. Even in the end, his attitude toward Eliza is one of entitlement. He never shows Eliza any shred of respect or valuation of her as a person.
Another hero that just gets me is Heathcliffe. Y’all. The man is an ass – though granted Hinton is a bigger ass. Heathcliffe in the last half of the book particularly, is bitter, malicious, and abusive. He is never redeemed by word or deed. And, frankly, Catherine is a snobby twit. Um. Sorry. Did I just reveal that I, a romance writer, actually cannot stand Wuthering Heights? Yeah, I did. Oh, look! We got a WTF today anyway!
A great post on Smart Bitches captures for me the only saving of the asshat. There must be redemption. I must see some smidge of non-asshattery. In fact, the hero must reveal his non-asshattery to the heroine. And there must be groveling. Much groveling. Which is why Darcy isn’t an asshat hero. He grovels well.
Do you agree? disagree? Have asshat candidates of your own? Share!
So, some AWESOME asshats:
Zadist from J.R. Ward’s “Lover Awakened” (FANTASTIC GROVEL SCENE)
Daegus from Karen Marie Moning’s “Dark Highlander”
YUM YUM and YUM
You are not alone in your hatred of Wuthering Heights. I always found Heathcliffe to be a cry baby, poor me, character. I think it has to do with the Bronte sisters upbringing. I mean, really, look at Rochester from Jane Eyre. He only wants to “enjoy” her in their private discussions, but put her on display to his rude friends during a house party, knowing how miserable she is and how much she’s suffering. Rude and rude. He does, at times, however redeem himself. And given his prior marital state, you do kind of feel a bit sorry for him. But not totally.
whenever an author writes an anti-hero/ine, i’m fascinated. it’s like a train wreck. i can’t not watch… judging if it’s going to come out alright. sometimes it doesn’t and i end up fuming about what a jerk the character was. sometimes it works and i’m impressed by how they rode that unlikable edge the whole time, while making me still believe in the romance. i wanted that challenge and i’m working on 2 anti-heros right now. they’re not arrogant, they’re damaged. but they’re still asshats. it is the hardest balancing act i’ve ever done.