The Main Character Theory

Are you Gen Z? If so, you probably have TikTok. (As long as you're over the age of thirteen.) Depending on the algorithm and your For You page, chances are you've seen at least one post involving the 'Main Character Theory'. This could range from a 'put a finger down to see if you're the love interest' background music/sound or someone lamenting that they're going through their painful 'character development' first heartbreak.

Overall, the Main Character Theory is a mindset that the younger generation might use to cope with life. For example, if something hurtful were to happen to me, I would assume it's my 'character development'. Some may use this theory to consider childhood trauma their background story.

Now that I've explained the general idea of the theory, here's why I'm telling you about it. There are many aspects of the Main Character Theory. One of the most prevalent, for me and for many Gen Z-ers, is the music we listen to. This would be the 'soundtrack' of our life. Here's my soundtrack. There are a variety of songs on it; songs that are sad or happy, of course. Mostly, there's songs that put emotions I can't describe into words and music. (I'll write another post explaining a few of these songs.) The way music impacts our life is huge. It's even bigger for many teens today, with absent or abusive parents or lack of emotional support being more widespread than ever before. Music is an emotional escape for many, and the songs we listen to and surround ourselves with show more than we realize. Songs are a way to create an emotional connection when there's no one else available to talk to or connect with. The artist describing your emotions perfectly will ease heartache better than your best friend who's been talking behind your back or the father who's always working. Many Main Characters go through a lonely period where they're struggling with their emotions and can't talk to anyone. This mindset helps teens feel as though there is a light at the end of a tunnel; something positive coming out of their issues. Another character enters the scene, ready to rescue exactly when the Main Character is about to lose themselves or someone they love most.

On the other hand, books are less universal. Unfortunately, those who read a lot or read for pleasure are stigmatized as nerds or dorks (less so now, however). For many antisocial or introverted or people who don't know how to cope, books are even more of an escape from a difficult life or a issues they don't know how to deal with. The point of a book or story is to teach you a lesson. Yes, I understand most people don't read the Scarlet Letter for pleasure, but YA books are all about this Main Character who has overcome enormous obstacles and come out stronger and a better person - the concept of 'character development'. People who don't know how to deal with their own issues can deal with someone else's for a little while longer. When I was younger, especially in elementary school, I was an introvert. Not exactly antisocial, but I would much rather spend my weekends reading than playing with people from school. As I've developed, I've become extroverted and love hanging out with my best friends. Unfortunately, I don't read as much as I used to. But the way my personality developed and the background with books that I have, I am able to recognize the feeling of happiness and belonging because I've read about it.

Stephen Chbosky put it best in The Perks of Being a Wallflower - 'Right now, these moments are not stories. This is happening. I am here... This one moment when you know you’re not a sad story. You are alive. And you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you’re listening to that song, and that drive with the people who you love most in this world. And in this moment, I swear, we are infinite.' It's a long quote, but it perfectly sums up how we teenagers want to feel most in this world. We want to get away from the electronics and live the life we can- raiding gas stations and going on car trips and having pool parties with perfect music with our best friends. We are so influenced by art we've experienced in our lives - the music that puts our unnameable emotions into words and sounds and movements, the perfect story that we're finally experiencing for ourselves, in this one moment. We are infinite. This is why books and music mean so much to me.