Meta rec and Very Scientific Poll

[ash48]

bardicvoice has written some great meta on why we see Sam and Dean differently: The Rainbow Connection, or Can You See What I See?

I like the ideas presented - it all makes perfect sense to me. It should help people realise that it's OK to see the show differently and arguing about it (read "being nasty") isn't going to achieve much. I think discussing is valuable because I think sharing the differing views can be interesting. Though, as bardicvoice's put it - "You're going to believe what you believe no matter what I say, unless I happen upon an explanation that fits your emotional reality and both allows and persuades you to change your point of view. Trust me, those occasions are few and far between".

She also refers to an article written about why we connect to fictional characters in such a passionate way. This is fascinating also.

If you enjoy this type of analysis I highly recommend it.

She can't answer what it is in each of our personalities that makes us respond the way we do, unfortunately. I imagine such a study would be extraordinarily difficult.

However...I did wonder if we might be able to do a highly (un)scientific survey to see if there's anything we can pin down that make us either a Sam!person or a Dean!person or a both bro!person.



I think of myself as a Sam!girl (who adores Dean <333). I often wonder what draws me to Sam and I think I can simply put it down to:

1) He's the younger brother
2) He has long hair
3) I find Jared ridiculously attractive

(I find Jensen ridiculously attractive too. I love Dean and there's no way I would adore Sam the way I do without Dean being there).

In most TV/film partnerships I've always favored the younger of a pair - Luke over Han, AJ over Rick (Simon and Simon), Stephen over Mike (in the Tomorrow People). I have no idea why that is. I've sometimes wondered if it has anything to do with my position in my family. I am the eldest.

Which makes me wonder if the way we favour either Sam or Dean has anything to do with whether or not we have younger or older siblings? (I think not, but it might be fun to see if there is any trend).


[Poll #1918144]


It's just for fun (and I'm curious...). In all honesty I imagine there are a number of factors dictating not only the way we sympathise with a particular character but also how we interpret story lines and "see" the show. I don't know how you'd ever find out what makes one person see it one way and other a different way. It would be quite a study I should imagine.

Comments

[growyourwings.livejournal.com]

"I think there might be something in associating with the underdog - I tend to do that in RL, so it might be that aspect of Sam's character that I'm attracted to (it might also explain why I didn't love Soulless!Sam as much as many did. Jared did an awesome job but that Sam was not a Sam I identified with at all. In fact, I think I wept quite a bit during those eps)."

Interesting.

I don't associate with the underdog. But I am strongly gravitated to them. In a protective sense. And my leaning is towards Dean. Interesting. Growing up my mother once commented how all my friends seemed to be "people in need and/or underdogs." I love misfits. Not because they are less or need to be changed/helped. But because they are different and, usually, because it's their difference that truly makes them remarkable. But for whatever reason, society/people ostracize them for those differences.

And I could take that and apply it to Sam. A misfit in every way. He's a misfit to society because his family (and him) are hunters and don't live normally. He's also a misfit to his family because he doesn't accept that life and frequently rebels against it. So a true misfit.

Where's Dean by society's true definition, would also be a misfit. But Dean couldn't care less because he believes he is doing what is RIGHT. He doesn't need anyone's approval for that. So even society doesn't treat him like a misfit (mostly), because he OWNS it. However, Dean takes the care-giving and sacrificing way TOO far (which is not good for him, or Sam, and makes me crazy while it also feeds me feels.)

All that is NOT to Sam bash. I love Sam's empathy and his struggle against his love of family (and Dean) vs his desire to be happy and normal. There is nothing wrong with that. Him being a misfit is only because he is extraordinary (but society and his family doesn't always recognize that.)

Guh. I hope that all made sense. I just found it interesting that you are a Sam-leaning gal and associate with the underdog. While I am a Dean-leaning gal and am drawn to and want to protect (not change) underdogs.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I think if we questioned every SPN fan we might actually be able to drawn up the kind of personalities that are drawn to certain characters. Maybe...;)

I agree that both Sam and Dean are misfits in their own ways. I think when I was referring to underdog I meant drawn to the character that is usually the least favorite. But...hmmm...I'm not really sure that's correct either. I can't put into words what it is about Sam - I really think it's just that I'm drawn to his looks mostly and him being the little brother. The love I feel for Dean is on a much more character level. I love his loyalty, his completely and utter love for Sam and his overall hero-ness.

All tres interesting. ;))