Revealing Character
As an author, in revealing character, I return to three guiding principles:
- Words (or dialog) are a form of action, but they are unreliable.
- Character is revealed through what a person does.
- True character emerges when someone reaches their limits.
In light of recent events, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on the concept of character. Whether in storytelling or real life, the lessons about character often overlap, revealing profound truths about human nature. At the heart of these lessons is the understanding that actions, more than words, serve as the ultimate test of character.
In storytelling, we often rely on dialogue to convey a character’s thoughts and intentions. However, words can be unreliable. They can be manipulated, misinterpreted, or used to deceive (ourselves and others). Authors often use unreliable narrators and communication misunderstandings to weave conflict and tension into our stories.
Don’t get me wrong, speaking is an action that often may reveal character. When a person chooses to bully, belittle, or bullshit, their action speaks volumes about their character.
But it’s performed acts, not stated intentions, that reveal a person’s true character.
This principle is not just confined to the realm of fiction. In real life, too, actions are the true measure of character. My clearest lesson in this distinction came during my time serving on a school board. People often asked me, “Doesn’t everyone on the Board want the schools to be good?” The simple answer was yes, but it was also misleading. Each member had a different definition of ‘good’ and prioritized this goal differently.
For instance, one member’s words and actions revealed a complex hierarchy of priorities. While he verbally supported the idea of good schools, his actions told a different story. He prioritized limiting bidders for school construction projects to local companies; attempted to dictate which companies were placed on bid lists for services; de-emphasized efforts aimed at instructional improvement; and used intimidation and half-truths in attempts to discredit members who challenged him and his ideas.
His actions showed a desire to improve his reputation and standing in the community and gain leverage with local business owners to benefit his struggling company. Only after these priorities did the goal of having good schools appear.
This example illustrates how true character is revealed not just by what people say but by what they do, especially when their personal interests are at stake. It’s easy to profess noble intentions, but it’s the actions taken in challenging situations that reveal the true nature of a person’s character. How many of us believe we would stand up to a bully? How many of us actually do?
In conclusion, whether in the pages of a novel or the complexities of real life, actions remain the ultimate test of character. They cut through the noise of words and reveal the core of who we are. In life as in fiction, words can obscure—but actions reveal.