5  Resolution and Closure

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5.1 Emotional Catharsis

📖 The resolution provides a sense of emotional release and closure for the audience.

5.1.1 The resolution provides a sense of closure for the audience by answering the questions that have been raised throughout the story.

  • Belief:
    • Audiences want to feel a sense of closure at the end of a story.
  • Rationale:
    • Audiences invest their time and emotions into a story, so they want to feel like they have gotten something out of it in the end.

5.1.2 The resolution provides a sense of emotional release for the audience by allowing them to experience the emotions of the characters.

  • Belief:
    • Audiences want to feel emotionally connected to the characters in a story.
  • Rationale:
    • Audiences want to feel like they are part of the story, and experiencing the emotions of the characters helps them to do that.

5.1.3 The resolution provides a sense of catharsis for the audience by allowing them to release their own emotions.

  • Belief:
    • Audiences want to be able to release their own emotions through a story.
  • Rationale:
    • Audiences often watch stories to escape from their own lives, and they want to be able to let go of their own emotions while they are watching.

5.1.4 The resolution provides a sense of hope for the audience by showing them that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.

  • Belief:
    • Audiences want to feel hopeful at the end of a story.
  • Rationale:
    • Audiences want to believe that there is always hope, even when things seem hopeless.

5.1.5 The resolution provides a sense of closure for the audience by tying up all the loose ends of the story.

  • Belief:
    • Audiences want to feel like the story has been completed at the end.
  • Rationale:
    • Audiences want to feel like they have gotten a satisfying conclusion to the story.

5.2 Poetic Justice

📖 The resolution aligns with the audience’s sense of justice and fairness.

5.2.1 Good stories often follow a pattern of conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The resolution is the final part of the story, where the conflict is resolved and the characters’ fates are revealed.

  • Belief:
    • Audiences are more likely to be satisfied with a story that follows a predictable pattern.
  • Rationale:
    • People are creatures of habit and predictability provides a sense of comfort and order.

5.2.2 The protagonist must overcome a series of obstacles in order to achieve their goal.

  • Belief:
    • Overcoming obstacles is a necessary part of achieving success.
  • Rationale:
    • Life is full of challenges and we must learn to overcome them in order to reach our goals.

5.2.3 The antagonist is the character who opposes the protagonist and tries to prevent them from achieving their goal.

  • Belief:
    • There is always someone or something that will try to prevent us from achieving our goals.
  • Rationale:
    • The world is a competitive place and we must be prepared to face challenges.

5.2.4 The climax is the turning point of the story, where the conflict is finally resolved.

  • Belief:
    • Every story has a turning point, a moment when the protagonist must make a decision that will determine the outcome of the story.
  • Rationale:
    • Life is full of turning points, moments when we must make decisions that will shape our future.

5.2.5 The falling action is the part of the story where the conflict is resolved and the characters’ fates are revealed.

  • Belief:
    • Every story has a resolution, a point where the conflict is resolved and the characters’ fates are revealed.
  • Rationale:
    • Life is a journey, and every journey has an end.

5.3 Ambiguous Resolution

📖 The resolution leaves some aspects of the story open-ended, inviting interpretation and discussion.

5.3.1 Ambiguous Resolution can invite the audience to reflect on the story’s themes and come to their own conclusions.

  • Belief:
    • Stories should provide clear and definitive resolutions.
  • Rationale:
    • This is not always the case, as the audience can be left to interpret the ending themselves, allowing for a more personalized and meaningful experience.

5.3.2 Ambiguous Resolution can create a sense of mystery and intrigue, leaving the audience wanting more and keeping the story alive in their minds.

  • Belief:
    • Stories should provide a satisfying conclusion that ties up all loose ends.
  • Rationale:
    • While a neat and tidy conclusion can be satisfying, an ambiguous resolution can leave a lasting impression and encourage further engagement with the story.

5.3.3 Ambiguous Resolution can allow for multiple interpretations, catering to diverse audiences and sparking discussions.

  • Belief:
    • Stories should have a clear and universally accepted interpretation.
  • Rationale:
    • Different interpretations of an ambiguous resolution can enrich the story’s overall meaning and foster a sense of community among those who share and discuss their perspectives.

5.3.4 Ambiguous Resolution can reflect the complexities of real life, where outcomes are often not clear-cut and leave room for personal interpretation.

  • Belief:
    • Stories should provide clear and unambiguous answers and resolutions.
  • Rationale:
    • Life’s inherent ambiguity can be mirrored in storytelling, allowing audiences to connect with the story on a more profound and relatable level.

5.3.5 Ambiguous Resolution can encourage critical thinking and analysis, as the audience actively engages with the story and forms their own interpretations.

  • Belief:
    • Stories should provide clear guidance and direction to the audience.
  • Rationale:
    • Ambiguous resolutions challenge audiences to think critically and engage with the story on a deeper level, enhancing their overall comprehension and appreciation.

5.4 Circular Resolution

📖 The resolution returns the story to its starting point, creating a sense of cyclical nature and closure.

5.4.1 Stories that end where they began often create a profound sense of closure. The circular structure suggests that life is a continuous cycle, with beginnings and endings inevitably leading back to one another.

  • Belief:
    • Life is a cyclical journey with no true beginning or end.
  • Rationale:
    • The circular resolution implies a cyclical view of existence, where events and experiences repeat themselves in a continuous loop.

5.4.2 Circular resolutions can evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing, reminding us of the bittersweet nature of time’s passage and the interconnectedness of all things.

  • Belief:
    • Time is a fluid concept, and the past, present, and future are interconnected.
  • Rationale:
    • The circular structure blurs the boundaries between different points in time, creating a sense of fluidity and interconnectedness.

5.4.3 Stories with circular resolutions often explore themes of fate and destiny, hinting at the idea that our actions and choices are predetermined or subject to a larger cosmic plan.

  • Belief:
    • Our lives are shaped by forces beyond our control, and fate plays a significant role in our destiny.
  • Rationale:
    • The circular structure suggests a predetermined path, where events and outcomes are destined to repeat themselves.

5.4.4 Circular resolutions can provide a sense of comfort and reassurance, as they suggest that despite the chaos and uncertainty of life, there is an underlying order and rhythm to the universe.

  • Belief:
    • The universe is governed by unseen forces that create patterns and order.
  • Rationale:
    • The circular structure implies a sense of balance and harmony, where opposing forces and events ultimately come together to create a cohesive whole.

5.4.5 Stories that employ circular resolutions often invite the audience to reflect on the cyclical nature of their own lives and experiences, encouraging them to seek meaning and purpose within the cycle.

  • Belief:
    • Personal growth and transformation involve cycles of learning, growth, and renewal.
  • Rationale:
    • The circular structure mirrors the cyclical nature of personal growth, where individuals repeatedly encounter challenges and opportunities that shape their journey.

5.5 Unexpected Resolution

📖 The resolution surprises the audience and challenges their expectations, adding a sense of intrigue and memorability.

5.5.1 An unexpected resolution can leave a lasting impact on the audience, as it forces them to reconsider their expectations and assumptions.

  • Belief:
    • Unpredictability can be captivating.
  • Rationale:
    • When audiences are unable to predict what will happen next, they become more engaged and invested in the story.

5.5.2 Unexpected resolutions can challenge societal norms and provoke thought.

  • Belief:
    • Stories have the power to challenge the status quo.
  • Rationale:
    • By presenting alternative outcomes and perspectives, stories can encourage audiences to question their own beliefs and values.

5.5.3 Unexpected resolutions can create a sense of intrigue and suspense, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

  • Belief:
    • Suspense is a powerful storytelling tool.
  • Rationale:
    • When audiences are kept in a state of uncertainty, they become more emotionally invested in the story and eager to discover the outcome.

5.5.4 Unexpected resolutions can provide a sense of catharsis and closure, allowing audiences to process complex emotions.

  • Belief:
    • Stories can help us to cope with difficult emotions.
  • Rationale:
    • By presenting unexpected outcomes, stories can challenge our expectations and help us to make sense of the often unpredictable nature of life.

5.5.5 Unexpected resolutions can subvert genre conventions and create a sense of freshness and originality.

  • Belief:
    • Originality is valued in storytelling.
  • Rationale:
    • By breaking away from traditional storytelling patterns, unexpected resolutions can surprise and delight audiences, leaving a lasting impression.