Exploring the role of the orphan protagonist in fiction

‘You can’t remake your life. You’ll always be an orphan. That never leaves you’

HARRY POTTER, IN HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, BY JK ROWLING

Out of time, out of place, outside the known – from Victor Hugo’s Cosette through DC Comics’ Spider-Man to JK Rowling’s Harry Potter, the orphaned protagonist in fiction cuts a compelling figure. Drawn carefully, they encourage the reader to see the world through fresh eyes – unaffected by inherited knowledge, though often curtailed by harsh or punitive relations in whose guardianship they find themselves.

As a literary device, it was particularly popular in 19thcentury fiction. In an article for the British Library’s online platform, Professor John Mullan writes of the literary orphan: ‘Their stories can begin because they find themselves without parents, unleashed to discover the world… The orphan is therefore an essentially novelistic character, set loose from established conventions to face a world of endless possibilities (and dangers). The orphan leads the reader through a maze of experiences, encountering life’s threats and grasping its opportunities. Being the focus of the story’s interest, he or she is a naive mirror to the qualities of others.’

Storytelling inspiration

The orphaned figure’s roots can be traced to fairy tale. In examples such as Cinderella or Snow White, it’s a common motif for the protagonist to experience cruel, unjust treatment. Yet, in the end – in children’s literature, at least – they tend to triumph over adversity. Writers can tap into this rich seam of inspiration and play with the reader’s expectations.

Perhaps the enduring appeal of orphaned characters stems from their storytelling potential. ‘Disruption to the status quo is what makes for a story,’ says Simon James, professor in the Department of English Studies at Durham University in northeast England. ‘The reason why the Harry Potter novels were successful is they use so many narrative conventions. Harry has a harder start in life until the letter arrives from Hogwarts, which disrupts the status quo.’