Character-Driven vs. Plot-Driven vs. Philosophical Fiction: Does Multiple Identity Literary Theory apply to novels of ideas? Do any novelists completely understand their characters?

Multiple Identity Literary Theory says that novelists have a normal version of multiple personality; that they use it to write novels; and that their characters are alternate personalities.

At first, I thought this theory would apply to character-driven novels, but not to plot-driven novels. But then I realized that plot-driven novels could be just as character-driven; e.g., detective novels, like those of Sue Grafton. My theory would apply to them, too.

But what about philosophical fiction, novels of ideas? Are they neither character-driven nor plot-driven, but idea-driven? Would my theory apply?

I don’t know, and I have no such novel currently in mind.

This post is prompted by my recent assertion that Gillian Flynn didn’t understand that her character in Gone Girl has multiple personality. I believe what I said, but feel bad about saying it, in case it hurt her feelings.

However, based on what I’ve read and written for this blog, I doubt that most novelists have a complete understanding of their characters. Because their characters are not constructed puppets, but [one or more] alternate personalities, who have minds of their own.

Is it different in philosophical fiction? I don’t know.