(I put this topic in Serious Debate since it covers some taboo concepts)
So I looking around some writing advice on Youtube and I came across a rather interesting video from a Youtuber named Literature Devil. This is his first video and talks about a rather interesting topic. (video below, 2018)
In case the video goes missing or the video doesn't work, I'll summarize. LD argues that one thing that seems to be sorely missed in most modern superhero films/comics and films in general is the internal conflict between a character and their inner struggle. Two points he talked about are Intentions vs Outcome and Thoughts vs Actions.
For the former, he talks about Intentions vs Outcome, if a person is good if their intentions is good despite the outcome being bad and vice versa. One example is that the video game Injustice has Superman kill the Joker as a rage-induced revenge because Joker killed Lois Lane. While Superman's intentions aren't pure good, the death of Joker potentially prevented deaths of other people. This lead to a morally gray dilemma.
The latter covers Thoughts vs Action where this defines the difference between a hero and a villain. Where a hero vs a villain is define by action. Villains succumb to their flaws while a hero resist or keeps their flaws under control. A character with an evil thought vs. evil character. Another Superman example: Superman saves someone from a burning building. Pretty heroic but eh, boring. But a character who has a hatred of a group of people either linking to a tragic past or an event and becomes a hero later down the line. Eventually, the hero saves someone fro a burning building. But this someone is a person that the hero hates due to him/her being linked to a group that caused the hero's hatred. This presents a dilemma and what defines a hero and a villain. A villain will leave them to die but a hero can save them despite the hero's grudge based on their color or other affiliates. A racist character might be noble enough to save someone who he/she hates.
LD also states that most modern comic book/movies heroes and characters lack flaws that are ugly and destructive due to modern society reflecting a "correct" view onto them and the crackdown on topics to find definite right answers/solutions or that an irredeemable flaw could reflect badly to a group/demographic.
LD concludes that due to "political correctness" many characters have their flaws being forsaken, leading to clean, corporate, cliche, and safe characters that makes them hard to relate and sympathize. He also states that a writer's job is to break away from the mainstream and find other venues. He says to not be afraid of making characters that are harsh, offensive, and unpleasant and wrong but most importantly make them human.
This lead to me thinking, can a character with a flaw so irredeemable and unsympathetic be good and heroic? Doesn't have to apply to racism. Can a character who is homophobic be heroic? What about Transphobic? Nazi? Pedo/Rapist? Someone with a depraved fetish? Greedy? Sexist? SJW/Straw Feminist? Abuser? Religious fundamentalist? A coward? An annoying rich girl from high school? Can a character with any of these traits be heroic?
Because while I'll agree with LD that characters with "bad" flaws can be heroic via actions, there are some traits/flaws that might tarnish them even if they did heroic things. That's my take on it.
Do you agree with Literature Devil's stance on the topic? Is it possible to make a character with a an ugly flaw a hero? Or are they're forever be deemed as bad even if they do heroic actions?