More About Tropes
Write Better Now
Over on DOGS ARE SMARTER THAN PEOPLE this week, we start talking a bit about tropes.
Robert Lee Brewer writes for Writer’s Digest,
“While some resources say tropes can be basically any form of figurative language, including metaphors and oxymorons, I think most people use the term to refer to common plot devices within various genres of writing. For instance, a popular trope in romance fiction is bringing together two people who despise each other and making them fall in love. Other tropes that litter literature include the story involving an orphaned child who has great powers or the roguish character who's a reluctant hero.“Tropes are sometimes given a bad name, because they can be mistaken for a cliche. However, tropes are important building blocks of storytelling, especially in genre fiction, because they help set and/or fulfill expectations readers have. People want happy endings in romances and dead bodies in murder mysteries, right? Of course they do.”
And on the podcast, we start discussing how tropes really use and shape the expectations that readers have, expectations that are shaped by culture, by our pinpoint time in history and in the globe, right? So, while two little girls in a hotel hallway saying, “REDRUM,” or a clown walking down a Maine street might be creepy in 2023 U.S., that might not be the case in 1614 Cambodia or a zillion other times and places, right?
I wanted to follow up a bit on that podcast with some really wise thoughts from ThePleasurePen, who writes on Medium. They write,
“Exploring the role of tropes in shaping audience expectations involves understanding how these narrative conventions influence the way readers or viewers anticipate and interpret stories. Tropes act as a form of narrative shorthand, setting up certain expectations based on the audience’s previous encounters with similar patterns in storytelling. Let’s delve deeper into this concept:
“Creating Predictability
Tropes are familiar patterns, and their presence in a story often leads audiences to anticipate certain outcomes. For instance, the trope of ‘star-crossed lovers’ in romance immediately sets expectations for a passionate but potentially tragic love affair.
“Genre-Based Expectations
Different genres have their own set of common tropes, which audiences come to expect. A detective story will typically include tropes like ‘the brilliant detective’, ‘red herrings’, and ‘the final reveal’, guiding the audience on what type of story and resolution to expect.
“Emotional and Thematic Resonance
Tropes can be used to quickly establish the tone and theme of a story. For example, a ‘dystopian future’ trope sets an expectation for themes of oppression, rebellion, and survival, while also preparing the audience for a darker, more serious narrative tone.
“Character Archetypes
Tropes related to character types (e.g., the mentor, the sidekick, the chosen one) help in shaping audience expectations about these characters’ roles, development, and their journey in the story. This can be used to build empathy, intrigue, or suspense.
“Cultural and Societal Reflections
Tropes often reflect cultural narratives and societal norms, setting expectations about the world-building and the types of conflicts and resolutions that may be presented in the story.
“Setting Up for Subversion or Fulfillment
The use of tropes can be a setup for either fulfilling these expectations in a satisfying way or subverting them to surprise the audience. This play on expectations can be a powerful tool in keeping the audience engaged and invested in the narrative.
“Foreshadowing and Hinting
Tropes can be used for foreshadowing future events in the story. A savvy audience might recognize a trope and anticipate what it signifies, which can be either validated or cleverly subverted by the storyteller.”
If you have Medium, you should check out that post because it is long and it is extensive. Kindlepreneur has a pretty cool list of tropes in fiction.