Character Development in Inheritance

by Diamondo

Any good story, no matter how contrived or cliche, can be decent if it has good characters. Look at Star Wars - it follows the archetypes of the hero story almost exactly, but it has great characters that everyone knows and loves. Paolini’s work, on the other hand, has characters that we’ve seen over and over, and many times we just want to slap them, both here and wherever else we encounter them. Ok, ok, a few of them are actually kinda decent, but the rest, well....here’s an in-depth list for you.

Eragon
Eragon is a farm boy who discovers that he must save the gala - I mean, world, from the bad guys. Yeah, yeah. Why the hell is he a farm boy? Why not a pickpocket, or a nursing home janitor, or something? I mean, seriously. I’m sorry, but his character his boring. He goes from knowing nothing to being perfect at everything. Why can’t he have a genuine flaw? The scar doesn’t count, because it ends up making him “cooler” in the end. Give me a freaking break.

Saphira
Ok, Saphira’s actually kinda cool. But then again, dragons usually are. My only gripes are that she’s instantly some wise being after hatching, and I would’ve liked to see her as the naive one who must learn about the world. Also, that she falls in love with Glaedr. It’s just like Pam Anderson and that old dude - guh-ross.

Brom
Old guys with beards are cool. I guess that’s why so many fantasy writers use them, and why you don’t get as tired of them. I mean, I wouldn’t mind having a mystical old mentor teach me crap. It would rock. The only thing wrong with Brom is that his wisdom came from a teenager, and thus he really wasn’t wise at all. Actually, he would’ve been really awesome if he was crazy in an eccentric way, but could still teach valuable lessons. Other than that, Brom’s pretty ok.

Murtagh
The third of the people I don’t have much of a problem with. I like Murtagh because

a) He’s hot
b) He has actual problems and conflicts, and this makes him human.
c) He’s hot
d) He has a dragon.

Then, in Eldest, he’s forced to go against his former friends. And he was raised with Galby, so he’s obviously torn between the two sides. I’m actually eager to see what happens to him in the 3rd book, although it’s probably easy to predict.

Arya
Ok, prepare for major ranting. I think she might merit an article all by herself, but let’s cover the basics, shall we?
I never could stand annoying helpless female characters, but Arya’s type is just as bad. Secretly, she’s probably the head of Feminists of Alagaesia, or FA for short. It’s their battlecry - they go around pointing at cringing males and screaming “FA!!!” But I digress.
Anyway, I can’t stand her. She’s beautiful, amazing in battle and with magic...please. This only makes her a snot - she’s a snot to Eragon (I don’t blame her for that one) and leads him on, she’s a snot to the dwarves, and she’s a vegan who wears leather. I don’t remember what kind of leather, but probably a bra and tight, sexy underwear lined with fur like you see in fantasy RPG’s.
I know these books are basically Paolini’s daydreams, but daydreams do not publishable material make. And I know that the male mind, especially where fantasy is concerned, likes to dream up hot elf chicks. But for the love of God, please, please make your sexy woman believable. I must stop now, but I repeat, I suspect Arya will get her very own article.

Roran
I can’t stand this kid. He’s like, what, 18? And yet all the villagers treat him like he’s amazing and follow him, despite the fact that there are many more capable adults with more life experience who could do a better job. And I don’t care if he’s Eragon’s adoptive cousin or something - he had nothing to do with dragon-riding, so therefore he’s yet another dumb kid who has no idea what the crap he’s doing.

Orin
Hey, a gruff dwarf who loves fights, booze, and cancer-inducing smokes. And...he dislikes elves?! Wow! I’ve never seen this before!

Nasuada/Ajihad
Ajihad I didn’t really care about. He was kinda....dull. Nasuada, however, I actually do sort of like. She has a lot of responsibility, and her character has been able to grow at least a little, unlike almost everyone else.

Galbatorix
*gasp* ZOMG! It’s an Uber! Evul! Dude! who spears babies and has an army of orc wannabees! Tremble and quake in your boots at his cliched Evulness!

Durza
He auditioned for Lord of the Rings but didn’t make it. Peter Jackson told him that you have to have an actual personality to make it into a movie.

Oh wait......

Oromis
I think Oromis is supposed to be Brom reincarnated, or whatever. He gives basically the same advice, with the added philosophy crap that I think is supposed to make him seem smart. I maybe could’ve liked him, but after Paolini’s homage to Brokeback Mountain......nah.

Glaedr
Don’t know what to say, don’t care.

The Dwarves
See entry on Orin.

The Elves
This really pisses me off. C’mon, Chris, come up with your own damn ideas. I know in Eldest he attempted to make them different, but now they resemble nudist hippies, and that’s even worse. They’re also a funnel for Paolini’s philosophies. I don’t mind authors projecting their beliefs into their writing. But don’t shove it down my throat and take this “my way or the highway” attitude. We get it, man, you don’t believe in God and you’re vegetarian. Now shut the fuck up and learn that not everyone has the same views you do, and that’s ok.

The Urgals
*coughOrcscough*

Humans
They all run together, especially the villagers from Carvahall. I swear, take out the names of whoever’s talking, and you couldn’t tell one from another. This is the first sign of bad character development.

Whatever the hell those flying things are
The Ra’zac, it seems, are the cousins of the Ringwraiths, or maybe their long lost brother’s wife’s third cousin’s nanny’s kids. Something like that.