In literary criticism, there is a common notion that a character's likability is crucial for the overall quality of a novel. Critics often argue that if a character is not appealing, the writing suffers, which suggests that the emotional connection to characters is paramount in evaluating a story. This perspective can undermine the complexity and depth that characters can offer, as it prioritizes superficial traits over more nuanced attributes.

Roxane Gay, in her book "Bad Feminist," challenges this viewpoint by emphasizing that the merit of a literary work should not solely hinge on whether characters are likable. She suggests that diverse representations and flawed characters can provide valuable insights and provoke thought, even if they don't win the reader's immediate affection. This invites a broader dialogue about the purpose of literature and the ways in which we judge it.