I’m shocked how many movies I enjoyed came from books. May seem backwards to some people, but I always learn about the book after seeing the film. And once I start reading, I discover what I’d missed and gain more respect for the product all around. So is the case with probably my favorite fantasy film/book, Eragon.
Picking up the second book, I found a summary of book 1 in the front. In reading this preview, I realized a few elements I hadn’t considered when first reading Eragon. What I had found confusing suddenly made sense, and the storytelling decisions that were made clicked like a puzzle. And it all starts with the characters.
Eragon, the Reader’s Eyes
The entire series rests on a little farm boy with narrow vision. Raised by his uncle with his cousin practically his brother, Eragon spends his days hunting and caring for the farm. You could say he’s like Luke in A New Hope, only he didn’t seek out adventure. It called to him.
His entire life shifts when Saphira’s egg hatches in front of him. The tall tales he heard as a child come true as he becomes one of the last dragon riders in existence. When his farm is attacked and his uncle killed, he realizes the life he had before will lead him to a similar fate.
Like the reader, he’s clueless to the world and the conflict that puts him in danger. He’s literally our proxy into this fantastical world, walking us through step by step the cultures and political maneuvering. And Brom is our tour guide.
Brom, the Reader’s Guide
I love a good mentor character, and Brom is one of my favorites. More mystery than man, Brom lives in Carvahall, the village near Eragon’s farm. In the movie, it’s very apparent he knows a lot about dragons and has a hatred for the empire. In the book, he carries himself as a spy, hiding his intentions and motives. The moment tragedy strikes Eragon though, he steps in.
When I say Brom is our tour guide, I mean it literally. He drags Eragon and Saphira across Alagaesia, teaching him how to fight, ride, and use magic. On top of this, he leads us to other rebels and gives us a greater understanding of the history that made Alagaesia what it is today: ruled by a dictator, separated from the other races, and void of dragons.
I hate to spoil, but if you’ve seen the movie, you know he dies. As do most mentor characters unfortunately. In the book, it’s a little more poignant because he dies with most of his secrets intact. All of those unravel with the arrival of Murtagh.
Murtagh, the Reader’s Friend
If you have seen the movie, you’re probably wondering who this guy is and why I’m not talking about the love interest who carted Saphira’s egg around. Here’s your answer: Murtagh matters more (he actually got his own book recently).
Murtagh jumps in the book about halfway. A rogue with no direction but great skill with a blade. He and Eragon become fast friends and support each other after the loss of Brom. Because this is around Brom’s death, Eragon is dealing with different insecurities. Who can he trust? Who is lying to him? Murtagh takes these in stride, proving himself time and again.
Later we learn his father was the first dragon rider to betray their collective. This immediately makes him a threat in the eyes of the rebels. Nevertheless, he doesn’t stop fighting for the good of Eragon and the people of Alagaesia. He’s the sort of side character you get to know and love because his tragic past is interesting but doesn’t define him.
What We Gain from The Characters in Eragon
You’ve got a lot of basic tropes in here: hero character who’s naive to the world, mentor character that leads the way, brooding side character who appears to be a wildcard. Regardless of the simplicity, there is complexity in their stories and actions. A hero balancing trust and skepticism, a mentor’s secrets slowly revealed after his passing, a side character who gives more than he gets.
The other interesting part here is that each is their own character. You don’t see that much nowadays, side characters ego-stroking heroes to the point of unbelievability. Each of these men lead their own lives, maintain their own secrets, and have character arcs they have to work through. The through-line is loss: loss of family, loss of dragons, loss of childhood. Each battles their pain while trying to save a whole world.
So what’s to gain? For storytellers, tropes are foundational. Use them to kick off your character and build from there. As readers and people, loss doesn’t define you. We can’t wallow in self-pity forever, else we never move forward and progress. Mourn for a moment, then keep moving forward.