The Analogy of Minor Characters

By Moumita Boral

Philosophically it is stated that “every human life has a purpose to be fulfilled on earth.” Some purposes, be they positive or negative, are highlighted, while some just get shoved in the background. On one end, we have figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Abdul Kalam, and Abraham Lincoln, who contributed immensely to the development of mankind; on the other end are individuals like Hitler, Mussolini, and Idi Amin, whose actions endangered humanity. Their shameful behaviour and power struggles led to the loss of numerous lives, creating a lasting fear psychosis among people even decades after their deaths.

The above mentioned characters have made a name throughout history, either through their positive or negative actions. But now the question lies, “What about the minor characters in the day-to-day lives or the ones whom we find mentioned, albeit ingloriously, throughout our literature and history?”

Minor characters can refer to anyone, including a teacher who inspires a student or one who is very harsh towards a particular student, a boss who serves as a mentor to colleagues, or a narcissistic leader who poses a threat and leaves a lasting impact on the moral psyche of employees. It could be an unnamed farmer who feeds the village or just a random stranger whose kindness lights up your bad day. Not every life becomes a headline. The so-called “minor characters” often carry the emotional wealth, and their presence either enriches or subdues the impact of the story or the day-to-day life of every individual on earth.

Why do minor characters matter?

Minor characters matter because they often move the story forward and enrich the world that is built in the narrative. Throughout history and in literature or movies, time and again we have witnessed how the minor characters have subtly moved the plot forward and added depth and realism to the story world. 

The minor characters quite often serve as a catalyst that can trigger major decisions, or they can offer emotional texture through humour, tragedy, or companionship that can make the story more interesting. Even small actions, including delivering a message, revealing a secret, or causing a disruption, can shift the direction of the plot. There is also another interesting analysis that in a world filled with heroes and villains, we have minor characters like a shopkeeper, maid, neighbour, or co-worker who are simply making the world feel more authentic to live in.

If we analyze Julius Caesar, one of the famous plays by Shakespeare, we are often left wondering if “Caesar is a minor character or a major character.” Caesar is killed in the first act itself, and unlike Brutus, Mark Antony, or Cassius, the character of Caesar doesn’t undergo any major change or go through any introspection. However, the assassination of Caesar drives the entire narrative based on revenge, war, and moral reckoning. Shakespeare beautifully creates an ambiguity around Julius Caesar's role, which makes the play so rich and layered. 

The Ramayana and Mahabharata, two of the greatest Indian epics, contain a plethora of supporting characters, or minor characters, who have significantly shifted the plot. 

Ramayana: 

At one end we have the character of Kaikeyi, who, although she has limited screen time or is even mentioned less compared to the other major characters in the Ramayana, is a narrative linchpin whose decision triggers the central conflict in the epic. She embodies the ambiguity of human character. Her transformation from a loving mother to Rama to an antagonist (stepmother) who demands his exile depicts the vulnerability of human emotions.

On the other hand, we get to witness the silent sacrifices of Urmila, the wife of Lakshmana and sister of Sita. We are all aware of the sacrifices made by Sita, but no one really speaks about the struggles of Urmila in the entire Ramayana. Urmila embodies quiet strength and a selfless devotion. When Lakshmana chooses to accompany Rama into exile, Urmila willingly accepts a life of solitude without protest. Her sacrifice is profound; she lives in separation without Lakshmana, not out of compulsion but out of love and duty. There are some versions of Ramayana that even suggest that she took on Lakshmana’s share of sleep (Nidra) so he could remain vigilant throughout Rama’s exile. Her silent suffering adds an emotional depth to the story and shows that without her support, Lakshmana wouldn’t have managed to stay in exile with Rama and Sita. 

Then we have the characters of Sumitra, who provides a stabilizing effect in Ramayana, and Jatayu, who represents courage, loyalty, and righteousness and doesn’t hesitate to fight Ravana when he kidnaps Sita, eventually sacrificing his life. Additionally, we witness the quiet strength of Shatrughana, the youngest brother of Rama and twin of Lakshmana. Though he is overshadowed by his other illustrious brothers, Rama, Bharata, and Lakshmana, notably, he remains a pillar of support to Bharata during Rama’s exile and helps in maintaining the law and order of the kingdom. Shatrughana demonstrates that heroism is not always loud; sometimes it’s just about doing what is needed.

Mahabharata: 

Nakula and Sahadeva are often considered minor characters compared to Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Arjuna. Although they receive less narrative attention and fewer solo heroic tales to their credit, nevertheless, as Pandava brothers, they are key participants in the Kurukshetra war. Nakula was known for his handsome looks and unmatched swordsmanship, while Sahadeva was extremely wise and astrologically gifted. He was well aware of the outcome of the war but was sworn to secrecy by Lord Krishna. 

Then we have the characters of Abhimanyu and Ghatotkacha, who, despite having brief appearances, leave deep and strategic imprints in the Mahabharata. Abhimanyu’s heroic death in the Chakravyuha is one of the most tragic and valorous moments in the epic. It stirs up the Pandavas and shifts the emotional tone of the war. In addition, Ghatotkacha, a crucial warrior whose sacrifice helps Arjuna survive Karna’s deadly weapon.

All these minor characters embodied themes of sacrifice, fate, and great intervention despite their brief appearances in the narrative. They kind of built the social, cultural, and emotional landscape in the story and reminded us that even minor characters can change the narrative, create a turning point, or just represent a moral choice. 

Why did I choose to talk about the minor characters? 

Ever since my childhood, I have always been in the background. It’s not that I was forced to become like that. My parents were very open-minded and always encouraged me to shine. But I was very shy by nature and found comfort and solace in the background. Even when I made good grades, I would be shy to talk about it. But in general, I was always told that “you are a good girl”, “you are a clever girl”, etc. They were classmates who liked me, and they were the ones who bullied me. Even when I came into the forefront, I would drag myself behind.

Although I am good-looking, I was always plump, and maybe due to that I felt shy. If I were to slip during games or fall from stairs, I would many times be a victim of obnoxious looks and laughs. Unfortunately, this stayed with me throughout my life. Moreover, my father was in a transferable job, so the movement to a new place and catching the essence of a new culture and language always weighed me in both good and bad ways. While meeting new friends and getting introduced to a new culture excited me, it also often paved the way to relentless bullying by the peers and often the emptiness of leaving the place where I made new friends and moving on. Although I couldn’t describe my emotions earlier. But over the years, I feel that I have been suffering through an existential crisis.

Over the years, as I pursued my career, this existential crisis stayed with me. My first job was hell. I was just a fresh graduate (pursued a master’s in English literature) and joined as an intern in a small newspaper in one of the cities where my dad was posted. But the editor was a narcissist. Who would create a scene at every small mistake I would make? No matter the effort I would put behind every story, I was derided, chided, and demotivated. The trauma of my first job has stayed with me till today, and I don’t even mention that in my CV anymore. Through some old friends, I got to know that the editor was hand-in-glove with one of the leading media houses of the city and wanted to sell the newspaper office I worked in.

I felt very hurt and angry and was filled with resentment and even called the editor in the middle of the night to hurl abuses. But it, of course, went against me. A threatening call was made to my parents, who in turn admonished me severely and pleaded with the editor to not do anything. The editor agreed, and everything was settled. But a part of me got broken. After the fiasco of my first job, I always would stay in the background of the forthcoming companies I worked for. I never understood the background politics or who was pulling strings from where. I was always called the most reliable employee, but quite often this so-called “reliable employee” would be the last to know why layoffs were taking place or why, despite working hard, I would receive only a 5-8% yearly increment, while people who would join with me would climb high in the corporate ladder. Again, no resentment, because a few of my co-workers were genuinely talented and had the calibre to present themselves well and move ahead. Most of them are very good friends of mine, despite leaving the companies.

Then I also encountered a few psycho-narcissist team leaders who somehow thought it was their principal duty to deride others. Despite working well, I was demotivated, although it didn’t impact my career, because I was strong in my field, i.e., “writing”, but internally I would weigh myself down. Of course, my personal life also had a factor behind this shyness and awkwardness in life. My existential crisis had impacted my marriage, and after going through a broken home and severe financial crisis at my maternal home (as it often happens that troubles come from all ends at once) – I sought the comfort at my workplace, and whenever I faced any negativity or unrighteousness or degrading behaviour, I sought the comfort of moving out because despite being right, I was not comfortable in facing the situation or throwing my attitude at others.

However, during COVID, when I lost my job and was doing a few freelance jobs to survive, I was forced to think deeply about many things in life, including its uncertainty. I thought that if I keep running away, I will always keep facing the same situation and same type of obnoxious people through different scenarios. Currently, though I am not exactly jubilant or celebrated at my workplace, I have accepted my situation. Maybe again I am considered as just “reliable”, and I still don’t get to know who is pulling strings from where and what background politics are being played. My increment is also not up to the mark. But I discovered the purpose of my life, and that is I have to live for my family. I have to support my family like they always did for me. Maybe I can’t highlight myself in this job, or I am somehow unable to climb high on the corporate ladder, but I have learnt to accept myself. I have a few friends, a roof over my head, and the ability to support my family, and I am thankful to God that despite not getting a high increment or getting noticed, I am at least having a job in this volatile job market, and there will be many others outside who may be dreaming of filling my shoes.

Who knows? Maybe I will also get the limelight I deserve. Throughout history or in some great literary works, we have witnessed that quite often the minor characters have changed the narrative. Maybe, I am also destined to change a few narratives. Till then, I can just be content in whatever I am. Although life has thrown many curveballs towards me, still I will not trade this life for anything else, like just being a housewife or a caring partner. I don’t regret being a wife or mother because I got fulfilment in life through other measures. I am already a “major character” in my parent’s narrative; hopefully I will get an opportunity to transfer myself from a “minor” to “major” in some other narratives.

By Moumita Boral