Perhaps, then, unlikable characters, the ones who are the most human, are also the ones who are most alive. Perhaps this intimacy makes us uncomfortable because we don't dare be so alive.
Roxane Gay's "Bad Feminist" suggests that characters who are often seen as unlikable may actually represent a deeper sense of humanity. These flawed individuals resonate because they reflect the complexities of real life, embodying emotions and struggles that many of us face. Their imperfections make them relatable and, in turn, more real.
This discomfort with unlikable characters stems from our own reluctance to confront the messiness of being fully alive. Embracing the rawness and authenticity of these characters can challenge societal expectations and force us to examine our own lives, pushing us to accept our own imperfections and complexities.
