is eugenides an "underdog"?

[cindy-pon.livejournal.com]

i'm part of the enchanted inkpot and
today's topic of the week is the underdog
in fantasy.

we had a huge discussion as to why
this is popular in fantasy books and also
who are under dogs in novels that we read?

of course, i brought up gen.
he is the best nonconventional hero i know.
a thief--and then a thief without a hand!

but some argued that being an underdog
is about status and power and gen actually
placed himself in powerless situations like
in THE THIEF for his own purposes.

i think that an underdog is one that faces
a situation that seems impossible to best,
a quest that is impossible to complete, etc.

or is the underdog more like the "average joe"
aka frodo of lord of the rings? since gen had the
privilege of royal training and backing? is GOOD at
what he does? do you think gen is an under dog
by your own reading definitions?

original discussion on inkpot is here.

Comments

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

Well, let's see what the dictionary says.

1 : a loser or predicted loser in a struggle or contest
2 : a victim of injustice or persecution

I see an underdog as someone who is struggling against impossible odds and may win through sheer will-power. Gen (at least to me) always seem to be on top of the situation, and is fully capable of handling it (not that it isn't hard). He's been a victim, but as Helen said, never a helpless one.

If you ask me, Gen pretends to be an underdog, but is really the one pulling the strings the entire time. I think it's most prevalent in KoA. In TT, everyone at least knew he was skilled at sneaking around and opening locked doors. In KoA, no one knew nothing (please excuse my substandard grammar). Especially, poor, naive Costis. To them he was just an idiot, who couldn't even sit on the throne right. Boy, were they in for a surprise.

That sneaky little... I love him so much.

*hugs imaginary Gen doll*

[zumie-ashlen.livejournal.com]

Indeed, he's like a... a chessmaster. Although the odds may seem impossible to others, it's just because they don't know Gen is awesome personified.

But mainly I'm just drive-by commenting for ICON LOOOVE.