We're all the main characters in our own stories, right? Isn't that how most people see it?
So when other people show up, sometimes we tend to view them as side characters. Not necessarily unimportant, but not as important as we are.
I don't think that's entirely anybody's fault, though. We can only empathize with other people so much - we can't really understand them the same way we understand ourselves. So we can't call them main characters by the definition of the phrase which we use to define ourselves as main characters. Perhaps 'deuteragonist' would be a better term, in contrast to our 'protagonist.' Still important, but not as central.
Still, it's interesting how every now and then, a supporting character shows up who doesn't stay so minor. Maybe they become your best friend. Maybe your significant other. Perhaps both. But what is it about the direction of our lives that dictates who plays a supporting role and who turns out to be so much more important?
And then there are some people - I don't know any personally, but I'm sure they exist - who identify themselves more as a supporting character than a main character. I feel that way sometimes, but I try to regard myself as a protagonist. Maybe a protagonist in-training, at this point.
Anyway, I think life would be a whole lot more lonely if it was split solely into main characters and side characters. It would make people a lot harder to identify with and care about. I wonder who I know who could become a deuteragonist. Maybe they already are and I'm not aware of it.
I often think about these things. An insightful post.
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