Chuck Palahniuk's model of three characters (the bystander,...)

[Carolin]

Chuck Palahniuk

Hi,

I once heard Chuck Palahniuk speak about how a lot of American stories have a trinity of the same types of characters. One of them was the bystander, and I forgot the other two. Maybe a martyr?

As an example other than Fight Club, he mentioned The Great Gatsby.

It was a great model that I found appropriate, but I cannot remember how he characterized the three types! Has anyone else heard this, or even better, can find an interview where he talks about it?

Much appreciated!
Carolin

[Christopher]

In his writing essays, he talks about a story archetype made up of three characters: the rebel, the follower, and the witness (sometimes the witness and the follower turn out to be the same character). He describes it as, "The two extremes and the resulting compromise". The essay is called 'Talking Shapes: The Rebel, the Follower and the Witness'.

[Carolin]

Christopher wrote: "In his writing essays, he talk about a story archetype made up of three characters: the rebel, the follower, and the witness (sometimes the witness and the follower turn out to be the same characte..."

Brilliant, thank you so much!