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Just a little question of psychology : Why is Calvin so bad and silly (bête et méchant)? When we think that he is doing a good thing, we soon discover that he is only thinking in his own interest... Like Mebbekew in Basilica, etc... Does OSC have to put this kind of character in his books ? Can't be Calvin a little less selfish ?
Posts: 28 | Registered: Dec 2004
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Stories that are only about good people doing good things get boring and sappy. Our heroes need villains, and it is far better if they are complex and real than if they are cardboard cut out just plain evil.
I like it that we can like and hate Calvin at the same time. He is more interesting that way. Of course we want to slap him upside the face sometimes, but I think that is the intended response. After all, aren't people like this (not all bad, not all good) in real life?
Posts: 3495 | Registered: Feb 2000
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I do not think it is unusual for two brothers to feel competition, or for one to feel inferior to the other, and have bitterness, as Calvin does.
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I agree with you both but I think Calvin is too silly : almost all his actions are stupid and he's allways saved by Alvin (or Arthur)! Nobody can be so stupid, overall not Alvin's brother!
Posts: 28 | Registered: Dec 2004
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He's very selfish, and selfish persons often do stupid things because they think only about their own benefice. Posts: 3526 | Registered: Oct 2001
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So you think his character is too exaggerated to be believable? I can understand that. I have seen parts of Calvin in certain people I have interacted with in my life, but the whole of Calvin may be a bit too much all in one person.
I dunno, I can't judge this. Maybe he is realistic after all. What do I know?
Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004
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