The hero as a good Samaritan.

The hero as a good Samaritan.

Two thousand years ago, many groups were suspicious of or held each other in contempt. They would not associate with the other group. There were always people who ignored the norms. Today, I’d like to think we’re different.

Are there good people on both sides? It depends on the groups. If it is white power types (Nazis for short) versus the rest of the world the answer is no. Why is that? Nazis are evil, not good. Unless you agree with gassing Jews or hanging black people, In which case, get off my blog.

I’m not saying that people can’t change. During anybody’s life there are chances for redemption. They need be seized.

In writing, the hero or heroine as a good Samaritan, is an excellent and dramatic trope. Why? Because it’s always good versus evil that drives every plot. People make choices. We cheer for them to make the right choice, and worry if they don’t, if in the hands of a skilled writer. The more you up the stakes, the more dramatic your writing. What could be more dramatic than the loss of one’s soul? To put it in non-religious terms: What could be more dramatic than discovering one’s purpose for living. Realizing, that is, that we are all human beings is a good start. Doing something about it is a noble purpose.