Audience surrogate
Encyclopedia
In the study of literature
, an audience surrogate is a fictional character
with whom the audience can identify, or who expresses the questions and confusion of the audience. It is a device frequently used in detective fiction
and science fiction
.
In detective fiction, the audience surrogate is usually a minor character who asks a central character how he or she accomplished certain deeds, for the purpose of inciting that character to explain (for the curious audience) his or her methods.
In science fiction
, the audience surrogate frequently takes the form of a child
or other uninformed person, asking a relatively educated person to explain what amounts to the backstory. Clumsy use of this device is derided in the catchphrase "As you know, Bob".
In superhero comics and other stories with a heroic central character, the audience surrogate is often the sidekick
of the hero. Like the audience, the surrogate is normally young, permitting the audience vicarious
participation in the hero's adventures.
Dr. Watson in Arthur Conan Doyle
's Sherlock Holmes
stories may be considered an audience surrogate, as would most of The Doctor
's many companions
in Doctor Who
. In Torchwood
, this role is filled by Gwen Cooper
, and later her husband Rhys Williams
. Harry Potter
also served this role in the earlier books in the series
, but decreasingly so in the later books as the character became more accustomed to the Wizarding World; Eragon
is used similarly in the Inheritance Cycle
due to the fact that he knows nothing about magic, dwarf, or elvish customs in that around the end of each book he is more customed and is no longer needed as a surrogate.
The West Wing television series frequently uses audience surrogates to explain some aspect of politics. Donna Moss
is probably the most commonly used, but other characters are used occasionally in areas which are outside their own fields of expertise.
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, an audience surrogate is a fictional character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
with whom the audience can identify, or who expresses the questions and confusion of the audience. It is a device frequently used in detective fiction
Detective fiction
Detective fiction is a sub-genre of crime fiction and mystery fiction in which an investigator , either professional or amateur, investigates a crime, often murder.-In ancient literature:...
and science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
.
In detective fiction, the audience surrogate is usually a minor character who asks a central character how he or she accomplished certain deeds, for the purpose of inciting that character to explain (for the curious audience) his or her methods.
In science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, the audience surrogate frequently takes the form of a child
Child
Biologically, a child is generally a human between the stages of birth and puberty. Some vernacular definitions of a child include the fetus, as being an unborn child. The legal definition of "child" generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority...
or other uninformed person, asking a relatively educated person to explain what amounts to the backstory. Clumsy use of this device is derided in the catchphrase "As you know, Bob".
In superhero comics and other stories with a heroic central character, the audience surrogate is often the sidekick
Sidekick
A sidekick is a close companion who is generally regarded as subordinate to the one he accompanies. Some well-known fictional sidekicks are Don Quixote's Sancho Panza, Sherlock Holmes' Doctor Watson, The Lone Ranger's Tonto, The Green Hornet's Kato and Batman's Robin.-Origins:The origin of the...
of the hero. Like the audience, the surrogate is normally young, permitting the audience vicarious
Vicarious
Vicarious may refer to:* Vicarious arousal, when someone witnessing a strong display of emotion begins to feel a similar emotion themselves.* Vicarious abuse , abuse committed on behalf of somebody else...
participation in the hero's adventures.
Dr. Watson in Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle DL was a Scottish physician and writer, most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, generally considered a milestone in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger...
's Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
stories may be considered an audience surrogate, as would most of The Doctor
Doctor (Doctor Who)
The Doctor is the central character in the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who, and has also featured in two cinema feature films, a vast range of spin-off novels, audio dramas and comic strips connected to the series....
's many companions
Companion (Doctor Who)
In the long-running BBC television science fiction programme Doctor Who and related works, the term "companion" refers to a character who travels with, and shares the adventures of the Doctor. In most Doctor Who stories, the primary companion acts as both deuteragonist and audience surrogate...
in Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
. In Torchwood
Torchwood
Torchwood is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. The series is a spin-off from Davies's 2005 revival of the long-running science fiction programme Doctor Who. The show has shifted its broadcast channel each series to reflect its growing audience, moving from...
, this role is filled by Gwen Cooper
Gwen Cooper
Gwen Cooper is a fictional character in the BBC television programme Torchwood, a spin-off to the long-running show Doctor Who, portrayed by Welsh actress Eve Myles. The series' lead female character, Gwen has featured in every episode of the sci-fi programme to date as well as two crossover...
, and later her husband Rhys Williams
Rhys Williams (Torchwood)
Rhys Alun Williams, portrayed by Kai Owen, is a fictional character in the BBC television programme Torchwood, a spin-off from the long-running series Doctor Who. The character is introduced in the premiere episode as the co-habiting boyfriend of principal character Gwen Cooper...
. Harry Potter
Harry Potter (character)
Harry James Potter is the title character and main protagonist of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. The majority of the books' plot covers seven years in the life of the orphan Potter who, on his eleventh birthday, learns he is a wizard...
also served this role in the earlier books in the series
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
, but decreasingly so in the later books as the character became more accustomed to the Wizarding World; Eragon
Eragon (character)
Eragon is the main protagonist of the Inheritance Cycle, written by Christopher Paolini. Eragon is a male, the first in a new generation of Dragon Riders...
is used similarly in the Inheritance Cycle
Inheritance Cycle
The Inheritance Cycle is a series of fantasy novels by Christopher Paolini. It was previously titled the Inheritance Trilogy until Paolini's announcement on October 30, 2007 that there would be a fourth book...
due to the fact that he knows nothing about magic, dwarf, or elvish customs in that around the end of each book he is more customed and is no longer needed as a surrogate.
The West Wing television series frequently uses audience surrogates to explain some aspect of politics. Donna Moss
Donna Moss
Donnatella "Donna" Moss is a fictional character played by Janel Moloney on the television serial drama The West Wing. Donna is a recurring character during the first season, although she appears in every episode, making her a de facto regular...
is probably the most commonly used, but other characters are used occasionally in areas which are outside their own fields of expertise.