Jaycee Woods

One of the things about The Butcher in Boudica and The Butcher is that he had been a normal guy who found himself living in a world turning into a horror. At the beginning of the story, to the reader he seems a manifestation of the horror. As the story develops, Boudica draws more of him out including aspects of who he had been before the war.

Prompt: The male lead in the story is a Union commander named by the rebels as The Butcher. He gives the best captured female rebels to his men. He only keeps injured female rebels who other men would not want as his own slaves. Injuries include lost limbs, extensive burns, or other disfigurements. Each of these women he saved and medically treated himself so she might live without depriving his men of medical attention.

Copilot: This character, known as “The Butcher,” adds a complex and morally ambiguous element to your story. Here are some points to consider:

Character Complexity

Dual Nature: The Union commander exhibits a dual nature. On one hand, he is ruthless, earning the nickname “The Butcher” from the rebels. On the other hand, he shows a form of twisted compassion by saving and treating injured female rebels.

Moral Ambiguity: His actions create a morally ambiguous character. While he saves the lives of injured women, he does so in a context that dehumanizes and enslaves them. This complexity can make him a compelling and multi-dimensional character.

Psychological and Emotional Impact

Injured Female Slaves: The women he saves and keeps as his own slaves would have a unique relationship with him. They owe their survival to him, yet they are also his property, creating a complex dynamic of gratitude, resentment, and dependency.

Commander’s Motivation: Exploring the commander’s motivations can add depth to his character. Does he see himself as merciful, or is he driven by a need to control and possess those who are vulnerable?

Storytelling Potential

Conflict and Tension: The presence of these injured female slaves can create internal conflict and tension within the commander’s camp. How do his men view his actions? How do the women cope with their situation?

Character Development: This setup provides rich opportunities for character development, both for the commander and the women he saves. It can explore themes of power, control, survival, and the human capacity for both cruelty and compassion.

Ethical and Moral Questions: The story can delve into ethical and moral questions about the nature of mercy, the value of life, and the impact of war on human dignity.

Social Commentary

Dehumanization and Survival: This scenario highlights the dehumanizing effects of war and the extreme measures taken for survival. It can serve as a powerful commentary on the complexities of human nature in times of conflict.

Power Dynamics: The power dynamics between the commander and the injured female slaves can reflect broader themes of exploitation and control, drawing parallels to historical and contemporary issues.

This narrative approach effectively underscores the brutal and oppressive nature of the conflict, providing a rich and complex backdrop for your story.

Prompt: The Butcher’s wife and son died in front of his eyes in a rebel terrorist bombing at the start of the war when he was a university professor of business management. He tried to save his injured wife but failed leading him to later become an amateur medic. He is motivated by a desire to punish the rebels and end the war quickly. He would rather all the rebels be killed than the women enslaved. However, he is obedient to the govt policy, including having children by his slaves. His slaves and children stay safely away from the war as a replacement for the daughter-in-law and grandson his parents lost in the terrorist car bomb.

Copilot: This backstory adds significant depth and complexity to “The Butcher” as a character. Here are some key elements and their implications:

Character Motivation

Personal Tragedy: The loss of his wife and son in a rebel terrorist bombing provides a powerful motivation for his actions. This personal tragedy drives his desire for revenge and his commitment to ending the war quickly.

Amateur Medic: His failed attempt to save his wife and subsequent interest in medical skills adds a layer of personal growth and complexity. It explains his ability to treat injured female slaves and his somewhat twisted sense of mercy.

Moral and Ethical Dilemmas

Obedience to Government Policy: Despite his personal preference for killing all rebels, he follows the government’s policy of enslaving female rebels. This obedience highlights his internal conflict and the moral compromises he makes.

Replacement Family: Keeping his slaves and child away from the war as a replacement for his lost family adds a poignant and tragic element to his character. It shows his need for connection and the lengths he will go to create a semblance of the family he lost.

Psychological Impact

Grief and Vengeance: His actions are driven by a combination of grief and a desire for vengeance. This dual motivation can lead to complex emotional and psychological states, making him a compelling and multi-dimensional character.

Control and Protection: His need to control and protect his slaves and child reflects his desire to prevent further loss and maintain some semblance of order in his life.

Storytelling Potential

Conflict and Tension: His internal conflicts and the external pressures of the war create rich opportunities for conflict and tension within the story. His interactions with his slaves, his men, and the government can drive the narrative forward.

Character Development: This backstory provides a strong foundation for character development. The Butcher’s journey can explore themes of loss, revenge, redemption, and the impact of war on human nature.

Ethical Questions: The ethical and moral questions raised by his actions and motivations can add depth to the story, prompting readers to reflect on the complexities of war and human behavior.

Social Commentary

Impact of War: His character can serve as a commentary on the devastating impact of war on individuals and families. It highlights the ways in which personal loss can drive people to extreme actions.

Moral Ambiguity: The Butcher’s actions and motivations underscore the moral ambiguity often present in wartime, where the lines between right and wrong are blurred. This rich and complex backstory provides a strong foundation for exploring the themes and conflicts in your story.