Every single work concerning fiction and not is somehow related to growth, be it physical, mental, social or else
Here, I wanted to underline a certain aspect of growth: the one concerning the growth of the "power" of a fiction's character

By power, I do not want to simply limit it to people beating others through constant physical hitting: the field I want to refer to is the one about the main characteristics that makes a character unique. This means that on the plate we can have Sherlock Holmes' reasoning capabilities, Joker's madness or anything else you might come up with

Now, here's the point: considering that every character has something that makes him peculiar, do you enjoy more fictional works that show a character having his peculiar strong points fully/almost fully-grown from the very start of the story or the opposite?

I personally, really like to see the character not only grow as a character, but also grow in their abilities. FE, Goku in the Dragon Ball series, in my eyes, represents the ability to overcome any obstacle. Goku himself starts off at a particular base power level. But, through his own will-power and work, proves to be able to surpass any opponent in the series.

And through his work, he inspires some other characters in the series to rise up and strive to be better. And eventually, every single character is so overpowered they can crush previous opponents like little pieces of paper...

So yeah, I really like stories and characters that grow in power as the story continues.

As I've stated before, I'm currently reading One Piece and one of the most fascinating aspects of it is the 'power growth' of the characters as they go on adventures.

Not just in terms of combat, but also in terms of how good a doctor one character becomes, or how good a navigator another character becomes, or how knowledgeable with the history of the world a character becomes.

I think growth is more apt described as development, since regression can occur as well, and at least for the stories I read its a mixture of both.

Quote from The Organization

I think growth is more apt described as development, since regression can occur as well, and at least for the stories I read its a mixture of both.

True. Regression can also be fun, in terms of development. Regression is one of the key factors that play a role in "Beat the clock" genres. For example, Batman has to fight the Joker and get the antidote before the chemical that was injected into Batman's body takes over his mind. As the story progresses, Batman loses his motor skills and his mental faculties, but he keeps powering through and through (cause he is fucking Batman) and somehow wins the battle at the end.

It's nice to see the character "grow." It makes you wonder. So I like to see the character's personality slowly unravel.

...it's over 9000?

When a douchebag like Sherlock or Dr House are insufferable but extraordinary, the story isn't about him and his intelligence; its about the mystery-of-the-week.

Personally, I think 1984 is one of the best examples of both positive and negative character growth. The protagonist grows positively for 2/3 of the book, and then regresses vastly in the last third. Robinson Crusoe (the original unabridged) is really not about adventure, but the whole focus is actually stated in the prologue as being about the character development of the "author," Robinson Crusoe.

There isn't even any power growth in 1984. That book's about the dystopian society

Quote from Hewitt

There isn't even any power growth in 1984. That book's about the dystopian society

The main character starts are a grunt to the IngSoc. But then he nurtures plans of rebellion, breaking from the curse of that society and freeing himself mentally and emotionally from their slavery, with hopes of love and success. He meets with the man whom he thinks will finally be the key to his plot. He discovers what true justice and right and freedom means. And then he is captured, betrayed, and tortured. He holds out, trying to cling to his sanity and the wonderful new standards he has discovered. But then the psychological manipulation and trauma of the IngSoc's Ministry of Peace finally win out, ripping out all the flowers of promise that had taken root. In the final scene, love and freedom are things of the past, and you find him weeping in the corner of a cafe, overcome by love for the image of the very society he hated as the last vestiges of his mental independence crumple.


That's power growth if I ever saw it, Hewitt. Just on the "inside." Positive AND negative.

The problem is you're trying to define power in the loosest way possible. Yes, power in its basic roots stand for "the ability to do something" and yeah that can equate to freedom. But Winston wasn't even aware what it was until it was pointed out to him. And when he did, he didn't sought or even actually did anything to strengthen his "power" anymore than what the dystopia let him which was the point of the novel. Winston's growth to me is more about unraveling the world around him; each time we learn a few things about it: doublethink, 2+2=5, The Ministry of Truth. Each time that happens we are dawned upon the inevitability of Winston's reformation. His "Power" was just an illusion, and its "growth" was a controlled means to assert that this city meant srs business

Well, you are correct in that I was using a loose definition of Power.

So, now that I understand you were referring to Power in a more strict sense, then I have to say I agree totally.

To give an example of strict power growth...Hmm, well I know that the unabridged Robinson Crusoe is certainly a good example (well, a thought provoking one). Otherwise...Kenneth Oppel's Matt Cruse series is a superb example, no questions asked. And a read I would suggest to anyone.

I'm just basing Power as defined, on Dipi's interpretation based on his first post, which he appears to have abandoned. I mean, he's PM-ing me for Consortium games so that means he's still around. I'm just hoping he can step in anytime and deliberate on our assumptions.