Sidekicks

by Campbell Sharpe

When deciding what role, we would play in our favorite books, I always get stuck as the sidekick. I am the Ron to my friend’s Harry. The Bess to her Nancy. Though it makes sense to bestow the glory to the person who risked their life or solved the crime, second-tier characters don’t get nearly enough credit. They are loyal and supportive and often spur the incident the protagonist needs to fulfill the plot. Stories cannot exist without their secondary cast. Think about your life as a book in which you are the protagonist. Who would your side characters be? If you are like me, your friends and family may have the dramatic potential to have their own spin-off series, but for the sake of this argument, everything revolves entirely around you. In this narrative, whatever it may be, can you function without those characters?

For most people, that is a no. I need someone with whom I can digest my issues. Someone to prompt me to take risks, and someone to be a safety net if things turn sour. No hero can save the day without the valiant, unrewarded efforts of their trusty sidekick. Besides, stepping out of the limelight is not always a bad thing. In long series, protagonists must deal with the pressure to live up to their previous genius while their friends are able to navigate the world unfettered by expectations. Additionally, side characters are less likely to be targeted by villains. When investigating a murder, the murderer often would benefit from obstructing the detective’s advances. That puts the sleuth at risk. Their spouse, their best friend, their cat — whatever secondary character fits into the narrative — does not need to make the hard choices, does not need to watch their back, and they certainly do not have a distracted conscience. Side characters are free to live the life they want.

While at first, I was offended by my friend’s casting, I realized that life as a sidekick is not too shabby. Secondary characters take part in the action without assuming too much risk. They pursue their interests unimpeded by expectations or questionable pasts. Their lives are entertaining and carefree. What could be better?

Who is your favorite literary sidekick?