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Audience surrogate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
In detective fiction, the audience surrogate is usually a minor character who 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.
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.
In superhero comics, the audience surrogate is often the sidekick of the hero. The earliest example of this is Batman's sidekick, Robin, who was created specifically for this purpose.
Dr. Watson in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes may be considered an audience surrogate as would each of The Doctor's many companions in Doctor Who.
One possible meaning behind John's uses of an unnamed "beloved disciple" in the New Testament is to serve as an audience surrogate.