Everyman

An Everyman is a Stock Character that is generally a protagonist whose benign conduct fosters the audience's identification with him.

Example(s):
- George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946),
- Winston Smith in "1984" (1949),
- Arthur Dent in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (1979),
- Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit" (1937),
- …
Counter-Example(s):
- James Bond,
- Sherlock Holmes,
- Superman.
See: Protagonist, Stock Character, John Steinbeck (1902-1968), Dickens.

References

(ChatGPT-OpenAi, 2023) ⇒ https://chat.openai.com Retrieved:2023-4-16.
- Q: What is an “Everyman"?
- A: The term “Everyman” refers to an ordinary or average person, often used to represent the common human experience. In literature, "Everyman" is a character who represents the common man and serves as a symbol of humanity as a whole, rather than a specific individual.
  The concept of "Everyman" is often used to explore universal themes and experiences that are shared by all people, regardless of their background or social status. It is a way of emphasizing the fundamental human qualities and experiences that connect us all, such as love, loss, and mortality.
  The term "Everyman" has also been used in a broader cultural sense to refer to the idea of the "common person" or the "man on the street." It is a way of acknowledging the importance of ordinary people in shaping society and culture, and recognizing their contributions to the world.

(Wikipedia, 2022) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/everyman Retrieved:2022-11-8.
- The everyman is a stock character of fiction. An ordinary and humble character, ^[1] the everyman is generally a protagonist whose benign conduct fosters the audience's identification with him.