Audience surrogate

In the study of literature, an audience surrogate is a character who expresses the questions and confusion of the reader. It is a device frequently used in detective fiction and science fiction.

Related Topics:
Literature - Detective fiction - Science fiction

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In detective fiction, the audience surrogate is usually a minor character that asks a central character how he or she accomplished certain deeds, for the purpose of inciting that character to explain (for the curious audience) his or her methods.

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In science fiction, the audience surrogate frequently takes the form of a child or other uninformed person, asking a relatively educated person to explain what amounts to the backstory.

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Dr. Watson in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes may be considered an audience surrogate as would each of Doctor Who's many companions.

Related Topics:
Dr. Watson - The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Doctor Who

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A revealing line in mystery or science fiction stories, is that after the author explains the backstory, the audience surrogate will frequently utter lines to the effect of: "Well, when you put it that way, even I can understand!"

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One possible meaning behind John's uses of an unnamed "beloved disciple" in the New Testament is to serve as an audience surrogate.

Related Topics:
John's - "beloved disciple" - New Testament

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Compare: author surrogate

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