Pondering Over the Essentials of a Successful Narrative: A Happy Conclusion?
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In the world of literature and film, happy endings have long been a staple, providing a sense of closure and satisfaction to audiences. However, not every story follows this traditional path, and some endings can be far from cheerful. These non-happy endings, while challenging, can have a profound impact on readers and viewers, as they reflect the complexities and uncertainties of real life.
One such example is Allison Maruska's book, "The Fourth Descendant," where some characters do not fare well in the story's conclusion, as mentioned in reviews. This is a common theme in Maruska's work, as she shares that her own stories often do not end well for some of the characters, a reflection of the reviews she receives.
A similar narrative can be found in the movie "Stranger Than Fiction," where the main character, Harold Crick, an OCD-leaning accountant with the IRS, discovers he is the main character of a novel being written about him. Despite knowing how things end for him, Crick does not tell the author to change the ending, masterfully illustrating that not all stories have a happy ending.
The YA book "Reason to Breathe" by Rebecca Donovan also features a shocking ending that fits the story perfectly, but received negative reviews due to its ending. Yet, the book remains highly rated, proving that it worked for the majority of readers.
The mnemonic Cows = Characters, See = Setting, Pretty = Problem, and Sunflowers = Solution, often used for teaching story elements, can be applied to both happy and non-happy endings. However, locking oneself into the same kind of ending for every story can lead to a lack of suspense.
Stories often have elements such as characters, settings, problems, and solutions. While readers may prefer happy endings and air-tight solutions, a story with a not-so-happy ending can still be effective. A conclusion that does not resolve the problem may still be effective in a story, offering psychological depth by mirroring true-life complexity.
Such endings have a lasting impact on readers because they reflect the uncertainties and difficulties of real life more honestly than traditional happy endings. This realism can evoke deeper emotional responses, provoke thought, and leave a strong impression by challenging readers' expectations. They often emphasize transformation, sacrifice, or the consequences of choices, leaving readers with a sense of poignancy or profound understanding.
In contrast to happy endings, which provide closure, comfort, and a "feel-good effect" by activating the brain’s reward system and boosting optimism, non-happy endings resist easy emotional gratification but encourage contemplation and emotional complexity. They offer psychological depth by mirroring true-life complexity, avoid simplistic or formulaic resolutions, enhancing narrative authenticity, and encourage readers to engage critically with themes such as loss, morality, or fate.
In another instance, when Drake and the Fliers was with beta readers, one reader was overjoyed that it had a happier ending, showing that readers can be conditioned to expect certain endings from an author. However, if every story ended well, there would be no real suspense in any story.
Thus, non-happy endings resonate by providing a potent alternative to reassurance, stimulating readers emotionally and intellectually long after the story concludes. They offer a different perspective, a challenge, and a deeper understanding, making them an essential part of the storytelling landscape.
- Beta readers might expect a cheerful ending after reading Drake and the Fliers, but a non-happy ending can offer a compelling alternative, stimulating readers emotionally and intellectually beyond the story's conclusion.
- In the realm of lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, travel, and literature, non-happy endings can provide psychological depth by mirroring the complexities and uncertainties of real life, evoking deeper emotional responses and profound understanding.
