Why Is The Hero A Jack Of All Trades?

[Arch]

Is it me or does anyone else notices that the hero is knowledgeable in so many areas?

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

I don't understand, what do you mean?

[Arch]

MrsJoseph wrote: "I don't understand, what do you mean?"

Examples:

1. Hero knows how to build a fire with sticks, etc. even if he never been a boyscout.

2. Unlocks cars, houses, etc.

3. Escape handcuffs

4. Removes bullets from someone's body

These skills fall under Jack of All Trades to me

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

I think it maybe a throwback to when “men were men.” My father doesn’t really have all of those skills but my grandfather did. Well, not the handcuff thing (that I know of). He hunts, tracks, build houses, does electrical work, grows a lot his own foods, plays instruments, speaks several languages, knows how to fight, raises chickens, start fires, and a whole host of other things that I can’t. He was raised in a time when you had to fend for yourself and you couldn’t go to the store to buy what you need or call someone to help. My grandmother gave me a cookbook when I got married – it was the cookbook her mother gave her when she was married. It has instructions on how to make everything from scratch. Today we don’t see these things anymore so they sound a little overdone. My grandmother’s favorite saying is “Each generation gets weaker and wiser.”

[Arch]

I don't think a hero should know how to do everything. The heroine should be able to teach him something, even if it's starting a camp fire in the woods.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

It doesn't bother me - as the long as the female character is shown to be intelligent and self-sufficient.

[Arch]

:)

[Debbie]

Most of his knowledge and skills are just things that a single guy needs to know how to do to survive. I think it's cool.

[Arch]

Debbie, a lot of stuff you see heroes do, it doesn't have anything to do with him learning stuff as a single man. Some heroes are married.

Let me see if I can explain it this way. I will use TV heroes for example.

If you watch Bones, CSI Miami, NCIS or even CSI NY, you will notice the lead hero knows everything.

I was watching CSI NY one night and the lead hero (Detective Mac) was telling the Doctor (Dr. Sid) things that the doctor should have known about a dead body. I was like what!

I love Bobby from Law and Order CI. I haven't watched the show in a very long time. Especially after Bobby left. I've read that Bobby was coming back. Anyway, Bobby was smarter than anyone he came across. Lawyer, doctor, etc.

I understand the hero is suppose to stand tall, but really!

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

I think that those two examples are a little off - both of those characters are unrealistic, esp Bobby. Not only are those two not regular guys – they’re not real people.

There are a lot of things that men - heroes - need to know. Also there are people who are into survival and stuff like that. I know a guy on GR who goes on survival weekends. He and his friend take a knife, some needle & thread, string and go into the woods to survive. They hunt & cook their own food, locate or build shelter, if they get hurt they set bones, stitch wounds, etc. I'd love to have someone like that on my side if the shit hits the fan. :-)

[Arch]

MrsJoseph wrote: "I think that those two examples are a little off - both of those characters are unrealistic, esp Bobby. Not only are those two not regular guys – they’re not real people.

There are a lot of th..."

MrsJoseph, I know that Bobby and any other characters on TV aren't real, just like the heroes in books aren't real. My thread is about make believe people. It's not about real people. When I speak about heroes, I'm talking about heroes in books that we read and no, I don't believe just because he's a man, he needs to be knowledgeable about everything.

Every real life men don't hunt, camp, etc. Some don't even know how to change a light bulb.

Again, I'm speaking about make believe men in books. Not real life men. So, they can't be compared to real life men.

[AlbertaJenn]

A lot of Urban Fantasy with a strong female lead often has the woman being that way.

Mercy Thompson is a mechanic, but always saves the day when it comes to the supernatural, with a bit of help from her friends.

When you think about it, much of the contemporary stuff has two male and female leads working as a team to solve things. Both are pretty perfect.

but, I suppose, because much of this stuff is written for women, so the fantasy significant other is seen to be perfect. Who wants to fantasize about a guy that can't get you out of a jam, or needs you to save his butt?

[Arch]

Alberta,

The hero will always save the day or die trying.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

I wasn't trying to imply that you didn't know those characters were fake, I was saying that those characters are so overdone that they are caricatures.

I agree with Alberta, though. Who wants to fantasize about a man who needs me to rescue him?

There are a few fantasy novels that I have read that showcase a savior heroine you may be interested in. They are not true romance but rather fantasy novels with (very little) romance. Because the women are the heroes in these novels, the guys aren't "dangerous."

By the Sword (Kerowyn's Tale) - Mercedes Lackey
The Key of the Keplian - Andre Norton

To Challenge A Dragon is romance but it's PNR dragon shifter erotica. The female character there is very funny and not so helpless. The guy in here is "dangerous" but not in the typical sense.

[Pamela(AllHoney), Danger Zone]

I think its a fantasy thing. We fantasize about men with certain characteristics and a man who can do anything is up towards the top of the list. As a woman we want to be able to be independent and not "need" anyone but I think many of us fantasize about someone taking care of us and taking some of our independence away, even if its only in the pages of a book.

[Othena]

I want my H's to save the day. I want them to be strong, dependable,take charge and be able to whoop butt. If he can unstop the toilet,change the oil, unlock handcuffs (I prefer ties :>) so much the better.
One of the primary attractions of the H's I like is that the H be able to rescue the h and still be a gentleman.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I like the Sherlock type hero who is incredibly brainy and knows stuff that the average person doesn't know. I also like heroes who are good at building things and getting themselves out of fixes. I also have a fondness for heroes who are tough and formidable warriors, in other words, bad@$$. They are my weakness. As long as they have other traits that make them seem approachable and realistic, I don't mind a hero who is a jack of all trades. Sherlock Holmes had Achilles' heels, and he abused drugs. Patrick Jane on The Mentalist can be narrow-minded about spiritual matters. Bobby on CI has trouble relating to people in everyday. Their flaws bring them balance which makes them more endearing to their audience. To answer your question, Arch, I think women readers find that kind of hero appealing, because he projects the image of being a good provider and able to take care of his woman.