Little Women Character Review: Professor Friedrich Bhaer

*Warning: This post contains spoilers in regards to the narrative and characters from the book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Read at your own risk if you have not read the book or have seen any of the adaptations.

There is something to be said about a well written, human character. They leap off the page and speak to us as if they were right in front us, as flesh and blood human beings, instead of fictional creations.

In this series of weekly blog posts, I will examine character using the characters from Little Women to explore how writers can create fully dimensional, human characters that audiences and readers can relate to.

Sometimes, the best romantic relationships/marriages are not formed by the thumping together of two bodies, but of the melding of two minds. In Little Women, Professor Friedrich Bhaer is introduced towards the end of the novel. In his early 40’s, Friedrich is German émigré who is raising his orphaned nephews. Earning his living as a tutor, he meets Jo March when he is staying at the boarding house where she is working for the owner of the boarding house as a nanny.

Both are intellectual, have a good heart and find in each other the mental stimulation that will become the foundation of their relationship. While they start off as friends, Jo and Friedrich will go on to have two sons and a happy marriage. But not before they have a few disagreements in regards to Jo’s writing.

To sum it up: romance can start in a number of ways. It doesn’t always have to be the ooey gooey love at the first kind. It can be the relationship where the couple starts off as friends who are intellectually inspired by one another before it becomes sexual or romantic. As a writer, I prefer that type of romance because it feels organic and natural. But that is a decision that every writer must make for themselves.

 

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Thoughts On The Cancelled Philadelphia Eagles White House Trip

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest events of the year. If not for the game itself, many will watch for the commercials or the half time show. This year, the Philadelphia Eagles won the game and as per tradition, the team is invited to the White House to celebrate their victory.  The team declined the invitation and out of spite, you know who cancelled the event.

Honestly, I can’t blame them, I wouldn’t go either if I was in their shoes. You know who claims that it was because they disrespected the National Anthem (and the military by extension) by kneeling to protest racism while the Anthem was played before the game. Ironically, this statement is coming from a guy who used the excuse of bone spurs to get out of serving in Vietnam.

While I am not a sports fan (especially when they are not a NY  based team), I have a lot of respect for this team. They truly represent what is America is all about: social justice and democracy, neither of which you know truly understands.

 

Throwback Thursday-Beauty and the Geek (2005-2008)

It is obvious to many reality television viewers that producers more often than not rely on archetypes or stereotypes when casting.

A perfect example of this type of casting is the reality show Beauty and the Geek (2005-2008). The premise of the show was to bring two distinct groups together: women who were known for the looks and not their brains and men who were known for their brains and not their looks. Each “beauty” and “geek” are paired together to help their partner out on areas where the other is lacking. The “beauty” would help her partner in the social arena and the “geek” would help his partner in the academic arena. Each week, a couple is eliminated until one remains and wins the competition.

The premise was certainly interesting and I certainly appreciated the social experiment aspect of the program. However, at the end of the day, it is just another mindless reality show.

Do I recommend it? Not really.