Why do we sometimes label characters as "deep" and "complex" and not others?

Carl Spitzweg's "The Bookworm"

I've noticed a trend in storytelling of providing extensive history and backstory for fantasy and science fiction worlds. The question is: how much is needed? One of my favorite characters in all stories is "Luke Skywalker." Ask yourself how much we know about this farm boy? Well, nothing beyond a vague reference to a father Obi Wan knew (and that Luke is a good pilot). Yet, the audience has no trouble at all with accepting Luke for what he is. The fact that there's no history and backstory doesn't matter, because we understand what Luke's goals and motivations are.

Some fiction worlds are vast, such as Tolkien's "Middle Earth," Martin's "Westeros", and Niven's "Known Space." Each of these universes have huge histories and that backstory impacts the stories. While such massive history is undeniably interesting, does it automatically grant complex and deep characters? Nope. I've found that these terms are a bit ... misguided. How do you quantify such a determination? You really can't. In my thinking, these terms are gauges of the strength of our connection to the characters. If that connection is strong, then we tend to think the characters deep and vibrant. If we don't care, then what does it matter if they have extensive backstories? Do we know what the character's goals are and why they want them?

New writers are often told to give their characters a quirk and a physical description. Why? Well, the audience needs something to remind them of the important people--pick well and those quirks can become the only history you need. Think of "Indiana Jones" ... did you immediately remember how he pulled his gun and shot the sword fighter? Funny thing, that scene was improvised--an extensive sword fight was to ensue, but the director loved the improv and so history was made. On the opposite end, we have "Charles Foster Kane" from "Citizen Kane" and we literally see his entire life, and the effect is immense--the movie often considered the greatest movie ever made--and it's because the audience knows all about him.

My point is not to discourage histories and backstory, only to caution that like any big undertaking you need to have a reason for what you do. If it adds value to the story, then go for it, but don't do so simply because it's expected.

- M