Camaraderie

Something about soldiers, policemen, firemen, brothers, siblings, and close friends has always appealed to me. I realized this week why.


Definitions of Camaraderie

Defined by Merriam/Websters: a spirit of friendly good-fellowship
Word English Dictionary: spirit of familiarity and trust existing between friends
The Free Dictionary: goodwill and lighthearted rapport between or among friends; comradeship

This revelation made me examine my favorite books and movies. To my surprise, each one featured a strong sense of "lighthearted rapport" and "familiarity and trust" among the characters.


Example #1 Only the Strong
My husband laughs at me because I cry at the end of this movie. Mark Dacascos, the hero Capoeira instructor, is near defeat when his students begin to sing the song he had taught them.

The theme song from Only the Strong


Example #2 All My Favorite Books
The Lord of the Rings ~ case and point... The "Fellowship" of the Ring
The Harry Potter Series ~ the friendship between Harry, Hermione, and Ron
The Dragonlance Series ~ the closeness between Tanis, Sturm, Caramon, Raistlin, Flint, and Tasslehoff made these books worth reading


Example #3 Toy Story III
Another movie that had me crying was Toy Story III, I love the friendship between Buzz and Woody.


Example #4 Brother, Betrayed   (my book)
So it makes sense that I wrote a story about three brothers. Building rapport between my characters plays a large role in why I write at all.


So is it just me? How do you feel about camaraderie in movies and literature? If you are an author, are there examples in your own book?



This post is dedicated to my fellows at Fantasy Island Book Publishing. We are a team, and that makes a difference. xx

TAGS: camaraderie /  Brother Betrayed / Danielle Raver / brotherhood / movies / literature / Only the Strong / Toy Story 3 / Lord of the Rings / capoeira / definition / fellowship / goodwill 


 

5 comments:

  1. Jenny MilchmanMay 15, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    My favorite example of camaraderie is from The Body by Stephen King/Stand By Me by Rob Reiner. I think this is an element that drives may of the most meaningful books...

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  2. Johanna GarthMay 15, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    Hi Danielle, I think most great books across genre(from chic lit to historical fiction)have the thread of camaraderie or the search for it running throughout.

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  3. Danielle ButtsMay 15, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    Good point Jenny! I loved Stand By Me. Never read the book.

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  4. Danielle ButtsMay 15, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    Johanna,

    I think you are right. I like your point "the search for camaraderie". In my book I build it up then tear it apart.

    :)

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  5. Alison DeLucaMay 19, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    So happy to be part of that camaraderie....and I love that Strong at Heart clip! Must see the movie now....

    As far as writing goes, I love to develop rapport between characters. It's hard to do, because friendship is a beautiful, delicate thing - so much more important and difficult than romance.

    Trying to think of books that feature fantastic female friendships now. I've been thinking of writing one for a while.

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