This post originally went live on August 10, 2022.
Matrix
One of the most common tropes in fiction is the ‘Chosen One’.
This is a character who is destined to go on the adventure and, many times, win. This trope traditionally removes all tension once it’s revealed. It’s only in the last decade or so that authors began having it that they lose to trick everyone. I even stated many times that the champions in Legends of Windemere were destined to reach the final battle in some form, but not necessarily win. This still treats the ‘Chosen One’ in positive terms with very few negatives. So, it isn’t that different.
Now, what if you make it clear that the ‘Chosen One’ isn’t a gift, but a curse?
This isn’t that hard to demonstrate even if the character is unaware of how much of a negative this status is. Look at the following possibilities:
- Being the ‘Chosen One’ means that they have no free will. All of their actions and paths are decided upon. The heroes can try to do something else, but they will always be pushed back on track. Sometimes, this can be a rather violent and brutal shove that destroys things. At that point, they may start questioning their role and wondering if they are being punished.
- Relationships can be difficult because they have this calling. While non-destined heroes are free to establish solid relationships, a ‘Chosen One’ will be aware that doing so puts people in danger. They can become distant or get a sense that they may never truly belong. This can lead to them wanting to get their destiny over with in order to gain a normal life. Recklessness and frustration can grow to make it clear that this isn’t a position anyone wants to be in.
- Plot armor is a constant complaint when it comes to ‘Chosen One’ characters. Being destined to succeed or reach the end, they will never be killed off. If they do then the concept of prophecy is a lie and much of the development is thrown out. This is why many authors steer clear of this trope. Yet, the plot armor can be used as another reason for this character to be seen as cursed. They are surviving incredible odds while their non-destined friends are dying. Again, we can see how this can push a Chosen One into emotional distance and possibly even try to go it alone.
- A positive part of being the ‘Chosen One’ is that they will become famous if their adventure goes on long enough. Definitely nothing to be upset about. That is unless the author is a jerk. Being praised and doted on can make the character become pampered and spoiled. Their personality may change into one that isn’t very appealing, which can cost them in some fashion. This becomes a ‘pride before the fall’ even if the hero isn’t able to fall entirely. They can lose everything due to their newfound ego and then be left wondering what they have to fight for.
There are plenty of other ways to show how the ‘Chosen One’ is cursed. It all depends on the world, author, and type of destiny. Think about how even characters who can’t be physically harmed can still be hurt emotionally and mentally. The burden of having so much on your shoulders and not being able to hand it off can grind nearly every hero into the dirt if written correctly. This is internal damage over time, which won’t be unnoticed until it’s a really big issue. Also, this types of blows are harder to shrug off because potions and spells aren’t really able to repair that damage without psychic manipulation. All because a character was unlucky enough to be born a ‘Chosen One’.
Legends of Windemere 
Understandable that this would rank so highly. Anakin Skywalker certainly proves your point. I wonder if Neo in the Matrix movies does too.
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Those two definitely demonstrate the curse point. Harry Potter seemed to do well after the initial disaster.
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Percy Jackson also showed the good and bad aspects of being a chosen one.
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Just paid attention to the graphic which shows Neo. So ignore that last sentence!
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Terrific, Charles.
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Thanks.
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Much food for thought, here, Charles.
Can a prophesy be a warning, rather than something set in stone? Like omens. Seeing a raven might not say a death is inevitable, but that it’s a possibility, so be careful.
In my Wolves of Vimar series, there is a prophesy that the ‘Never-Dying Man’, the nemesis of the lang of Grosmerian, can only be killed using a particular enchanted sword. But this sword is dedicated to restoring balance to the world. Perhaps if he changes his ideas, and that restores the balance, the sword won’t be needed, and thus the prophesy was more of a warning, or advice.
My ideas don’t include that scenario. At least, not yet. At the moment he needs to be killed for the good of the world.
Thinking on it!
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Omens could be a subcategory of prophecy. They both involve predicting the future of something in a vague way.
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I see the difference as, a prophesy is telling what WILL happen, but an omen is saying what MIGHT happen.
The first is inevitable, while the second can be avoided or mitigated.
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I always thought prophecies were vague, so they are still ‘mights’. Like how Anakin was going to bring balance to the Force, but it didn’t work out the way the Jedi thought.
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I can see why this one spiked the meter. Lots of good ideas in it.
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Thanks. Definitely one of my best.
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Blessed or curse, I think it’s all in what the author does with it. Some play it straight, the Chosen One wins the day (although after travails), while other authors want to be sarcastic about it and make the Chosen One a ridiculous fumbler.
For me, I touched on this in my latest middle grade novel, Cleodora. She asked if the spirits had chosen her to serve their purpose. But her spirit companion said it was because of her choice to help when she was needed, that they recognized her merit.
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Author choice does come into play. I think playing it straight or plain goofy both come with risks. People will see the first version as boring with no risk. The second will grow stale fairly quickly because it’s been done so much.
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