why is it that people in books don't poop? I mean, sometimes they pee, but...?

Question

I mean, sometimes they pee, but I don't think I can recall ever reading that my favorite character in a novel took a big 'ol dump

now we can't forget the Catholic version of "Everybody poops" which is of course, "You're a naughty child, and that's concentrated evil coming out the back of you"

Answer 1

Every action a character takes and every word a character says must be measured. If you don't want to lose the reader, you can't insert more text than necessary. Tom Clancy may regularly spit out 1000+ page novels, but I'll bet his original drafts are 1500+. Authors must cut, cut, and cut. You must balance everything to keep the story moving. You'll also notice that your characters don't eat very frequently--and when they do, there's a good reason why it's mentioned. Usually because they're down to last rations or they have specific company at the table with them.

So characters in books DO poop. I've seen it happen. It ain't pretty. But when they do, it's usually for a reason like below:

1. Probably the most common in summary narration: Author mentions that a character spends a lot of time on the toilet because his travels (or his enemies) have given him diarrhea.
2. A stint in the public bathroom separates the lovers long enough for one to get mugged/raped/murdered. This is the most common reason to have a scene in the bathroom. Even pixar used this to seperate characters (in Monsters, Inc.)
3. Character X is in the bathroom so character Y can rifle through his papers
4. Character X is late because he had to poop
5. Stopping for toiletries is going to make Character X late for something
6. Discussion of how terribly unsanitary and disgusting a public bathroom is provides "flavor" for a scene or setting.
7. In sci-fi, the author feels it'd be interesting to discuss how the toilet works. Happened in Apollo 13 (pee) that way as well.

There are likely more reasons, but I've seen most of these. You'll notice that the fact that they're pooping is important in each case.

I know the question wasn't meant seriously, but I like to give serious answers anyway. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

The main reason is probably because they wish to glamorize their characters.
But actually there are several books that mention it. I know I have read several books that mention it including novels.
Most survival books do, since when the body is starved it leads to dysentery, then the inability to eliminate.
Many children's books are about the subject (e.g: "Everyone Poops", " Where's the Poop?", "Perry Poops" etc...)
There are several books with anecdotes about it ("The Truth about Poop", " Poop: A History of the Unmentionable", " The Scoop on Poop"...)

Answer 3

It does happen though. I read a book were someone pooped. It was a long time ago and I forget what the book was called. And besides, would you really want to read about someone going to the bathroom?

Answer 4

is this a serious question? If sure, what an unusual quandary you have there. in case your brother continues to be peeing all around the bathing room, heavily, attempt conversing to him. Dont get offended or be aggressive. attempt to stay calm. Make a humorous tale of it. tell him you ought to withstand poop with the intention to circumvent touchdown in his pee. Then tell him in all seriousness that it makes you somewhat ill. it truly is not relaxing having again domicile to pee all around the bathing room and how could he experience if he had to sparkling up somebody elses urine? heavily however, this is disgusting. i comprehend you adore your brother, yet he needs a awaken call! I propose, he's not 3yrs previous. actually, he's extra advantageous than able to aiming wisely, so why does not he? What does he do while he's at different peoples homes. think of what could ensue if he extra domicile a girl chum and then did that. If he continues to be doing this, he truly needs to boost up and function slightly comprehend...for himself besides as others. Now so some distance as your worried...pooping is thoroughly organic. all of us does it and it truly is not some thing that is going to flow away with time. once you ought to flow, your going to ought to take a seat down back. basically undergo in suggestions pooping is healthful. protecting it in is amazingly risky for you're physique. have confidence me, it truly is extra clever out than in! it is likewise going to be a lots much less confusing trip to the lavatory in case you do it quicker truly than later. i'm no longer asserting this in a propose way in any respect...yet this difficulty is on your head. suggestions over matter, this is all you ought to undergo in suggestions. each and every time you ought to poop, basically think of to your self it truly isn't any massive deal, all of us does it, extra clever out than in ect. tell your self to take a seat down back & end being stupid. undergo in suggestions that it truly is all on your head & your suggestions will conquer it. sturdy success which contain your destiny pooping ventures!

Answer 5

taking a pee takes a few seconds. Do you really want to read three pages on taking a dump. Besides people read to get a way. How can you do that sitting on the toilet reading about somebody else doing it.

Answer 6

Because no one wants to know about that. It's just not something that people want to think about - have you ever seen it in a movie, either? Except for something slapstick like American Pie.

Real reason? I think because the author would feel like an idiot for having to describe anything about it. And the research wouldn't be fun.

Answer 7

To quote the book title, everybody poops. So why would anybody be interested in reading about it when it's something they do every day in their own lives?

Answer 8

i know really- they are always doing something and they never take time to take a whiz and do they just hold it in all day- and when they are done being written about by the author they unleash the wrath of their anus and bladder

anyway... i think it has something to do with it not being 1 of the character most memorable moments

Answer 9

The same is true in movies....I guess they don't think it's necessary to tell us that the character needs to poop.

Answer 10

because poop is 4 letters and pee is 3. less to right/type. lol