Last night I started thinking about some of the characters in current popular literature; and how they have something in common.
They seem to have some immunity to brainwashing and/or mind manipulation.
In Harry Potter's world, wizards are able to control other wizards with the imperius curse. Harry Potter is able to resist the curse to some degree. He doesn't easily become a puppet.
In the Twilight series, Bella Swan has a strong resistance to the powers of the vampires. Edward Cullen can read minds; but he can't read hers. Jane tortures people with some kind of mind trick. She's unable to torture Bella.
In season 2 of True Blood, the townspeople of Bon Temps become zombie-like while under control of a Maenad. Sookie Stackhouse is able to resist the control.
In The Host, Melanie Stryder's mind's so strong; she's able to resist losing herself when an alien body snatcher takes over her body.
In Divergent, Beatrice Prior's fellow Dauntless member factions are controlled by injections and a powerful computer program. They're made to do horrible things. Beatrice is able to resist.
The immunity to mind control. It's a good trait for a hero to possess.
I think it also works well in fiction, because the reader and/or viewer can imagine they might possess this trait as well. Really. How likely is it that their hypothesis will be tested?
I can imagine that I'd be like Sookie Stackhouse....keeping my wits about me while everyone else is involved in wild mindless orgies and blood sacrifices. Who's going to prove me wrong?
I'm guessing though that this type of extreme mind control can be symbolic of less extreme examples.
The fictional stories might push us to ask realistic questions about ourselves.
If everyone else picked on that particular co-worker, would we join the fun?
If everyone in our book club spoke out against a current bestseller; would we automatically decide it's awful; or would we read it and form our own independent opinion?
If everyone believes a headline murder suspect is guilty; will we assume the same? Or would we consider other sides to the story?
Are we the type of person to follow fashions because we're told that they're in right now. Or are we the type of person who wears what we genuinely enjoy wearing?
I'd say if we're free-thinkers in the real world; there might be a chance that we're able to resist when the wizards, vampires, and/or aliens take over.
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