1.5 Character arcs
6 min read•august 20, 2024
Character arcs are the internal journeys characters undergo throughout a story. They shape character development and impact the overall narrative. There are three main types: positive change arcs, negative change arcs, and flat character arcs.
Key elements of character arcs include the , rising action, climax, and resolution. Crafting compelling arcs involves establishing a starting point, defining goals, creating obstacles, mapping emotional journeys, and tying arcs to themes.
Types of character arcs
- Character arcs are the internal transformations or journeys that characters undergo throughout a story
- The type of arc a character experiences shapes their development and impacts the overall narrative
Positive change arcs
Top images from around the web for Positive change arcs
Keller’s ARCS Model: Integrating Ideas About Motivation | Educational Psychology View original
Is this image relevant?
UJ005: Figure 2.3 | Plot points on a story arc. The User's J… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
Story arcs beyond TV [Thinking] View original
Is this image relevant?
Keller’s ARCS Model: Integrating Ideas About Motivation | Educational Psychology View original
Is this image relevant?
UJ005: Figure 2.3 | Plot points on a story arc. The User's J… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Positive change arcs
Keller’s ARCS Model: Integrating Ideas About Motivation | Educational Psychology View original
Is this image relevant?
UJ005: Figure 2.3 | Plot points on a story arc. The User's J… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
Story arcs beyond TV [Thinking] View original
Is this image relevant?
Keller’s ARCS Model: Integrating Ideas About Motivation | Educational Psychology View original
Is this image relevant?
UJ005: Figure 2.3 | Plot points on a story arc. The User's J… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Involve a character evolving, growing, or improving over the course of the story
- Often seen in protagonists who overcome flaws, learn valuable lessons, or become better versions of themselves
- Example: A selfish character learning the importance of empathy and self-sacrifice (Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol")
Negative change arcs
- Depict a character's descent, moral decline, or deterioration throughout the narrative
- Can showcase the consequences of a character's poor choices, external influences, or tragic circumstances
- Example: A once-idealistic character becoming disillusioned and corrupt (Michael Corleone in "The Godfather")
Flat character arcs
- Feature characters who remain relatively unchanged throughout the story
- While the character's core beliefs and traits remain consistent, they often inspire change in others or the world around them
- Example: A steadfast figure guiding the 's journey (Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings")
Elements of character arcs
Inciting incident
- The event or catalyst that sets the character's arc in motion
- Often disrupts the character's status quo and forces them to confront a new reality or challenge
- Example: A character receiving a life-changing diagnosis or opportunity (Elle Woods getting dumped in "Legally Blonde")
Rising action
- The series of obstacles, conflicts, and experiences that shape the character's development
- Challenges the character's beliefs, pushes them out of their comfort zone, and prompts growth or change
- Example: A character navigating new responsibilities or facing increasing opposition (Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games")
Climax
- The pivotal moment or turning point in the character's arc
- Often involves a significant decision, revelation, or confrontation that determines the arc's outcome
- Example: A character making a critical choice or sacrifice (Rick Blaine deciding to help Ilsa in "Casablanca")
Resolution
- The aftermath of the climax, showcasing the character's new state or perspective
- Demonstrates the consequences of the character's arc and how they have changed (or not) as a result
- Example: A character embracing their newfound purpose or accepting the consequences of their actions (Andy Dufresne's freedom in "The Shawshank Redemption")
Crafting compelling arcs
Establishing starting point
- Defining the character's initial state, beliefs, flaws, and motivations
- Sets the foundation for the character's journey and provides a clear point of reference for their development
- Example: Establishing a character's fear of commitment or lack of self-confidence (Bridget Jones in "Bridget Jones's Diary")
Defining character goals
- Identifying what the character wants to achieve or overcome throughout their arc
- Provides direction and purpose to the character's journey and helps drive the narrative forward
- Example: A character seeking redemption for past mistakes or pursuing a long-held dream (Natalie Portman in "Black Swan")
Creating obstacles & challenges
- Designing conflicts, setbacks, and difficulties that test the character's resolve and prompt growth
- Challenges can be external (antagonists, societal pressures) or internal (personal doubts, moral dilemmas)
- Example: A character facing discrimination or prejudice while pursuing their goals (Katherine Johnson in "Hidden Figures")
Mapping emotional journey
- Charting the character's emotional highs, lows, and turning points throughout their arc
- Ensures the character's development feels authentic, relatable, and emotionally resonant for the audience
- Example: A character grappling with grief, anger, and acceptance after a loss (Charlie Kelmeckis in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower")
Tying arc to theme
- Connecting the character's personal journey to the story's central themes or messages
- Allows the character's arc to serve as a vehicle for exploring broader ideas and universal truths
- Example: A character's struggle with identity and belonging mirroring the film's themes of acceptance and diversity (Chiron in "Moonlight")
Character arc examples
Hero's journey arc
- A classic arc structure involving a hero who ventures from the ordinary world into a extraordinary realm, faces trials, and returns transformed
- Often features stages such as the call to adventure, crossing the threshold, tests and allies, ordeal, and return with an elixir
- Example: Luke Skywalker's journey from farm boy to Jedi Knight in "Star Wars"
Redemption arc
- Follows a character seeking to atone for past misdeeds or failures
- Involves the character confronting the consequences of their actions and working towards forgiveness or redemption
- Example: Jean Valjean's transformation from ex-convict to compassionate benefactor in "Les Misérables"
Corruption arc
- Depicts a character's gradual moral decline or descent into darkness
- Often explores the seductive nature of power, greed, or other vices and the character's inability to resist temptation
- Example: Walter White's transformation from meek chemistry teacher to ruthless drug lord in "Breaking Bad"
Tragedy arc
- Showcases a character's downfall, often due to a fatal flaw or external circumstances
- Emphasizes the character's struggle against their destiny and the inevitability of their demise
- Example: Hamlet's descent into madness and ultimate destruction in Shakespeare's "Hamlet"
Integrating arcs in plot
Mirroring plot structure
- Aligning the character's arc with the story's narrative structure (setup, confrontation, resolution)
- Ensures the character's development unfolds in tandem with the plot's progression
- Example: A character's personal growth coinciding with the rising action and climax of the story (Erin Brockovich in "Erin Brockovich")
Pacing arc development
- Balancing the character's arc with the overall pacing of the story
- Avoiding rushed or dragged out character development that feels disconnected from the narrative momentum
- Example: Gradually revealing a character's or inner conflict throughout the story (Leonard Shelby in "Memento")
Interweaving multiple arcs
- Managing and integrating the arcs of multiple characters within a single story
- Ensuring each character's journey is distinct yet interconnected, contributing to the overall narrative tapestry
- Example: The intersecting arcs of an ensemble cast, each with their own growth and challenges (The Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe)
Arcs in character ensembles
- Balancing the development of multiple characters within a larger ensemble
- Ensuring each character has a clear and meaningful arc that contributes to the group's overall journey
- Example: The individual arcs of a group of friends or family members navigating a shared experience (The Pfefferman family in "Transparent")
Arc writing techniques
Foreshadowing transformation
- Planting subtle hints or clues that hint at a character's upcoming change or development
- Creates a sense of anticipation and makes the arc feel more organic and earned
- Example: Early scenes showcasing a character's hidden talents or untapped potential (Becca Corbett in "Pitch Perfect")
Revealing backstory gradually
- Slowly unveiling a character's past experiences, traumas, or motivations throughout the story
- Adds depth and context to the character's arc and helps the audience understand their journey
- Example: Incrementally revealing a character's troubled childhood or secret identity (Chiron in "Moonlight")
Crafting pivotal scenes
- Designing key moments or turning points that catalyze or solidify a character's transformation
- Often involve high stakes, emotional intensity, or significant revelations that push the character to change
- Example: A character confronting their deepest fear or making a life-altering decision (Cher Horowitz's realization in "Clueless")
Dialogue vs action
- Balancing how a character's arc is conveyed through their words versus their actions
- Ensuring the character's and behavior align with and reinforce their ongoing development
- Example: A character's evolving communication style or shift in problem-solving approach (Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady")
Symbolic representations of change
- Using visual metaphors, motifs, or symbols to represent a character's internal transformation
- Adds depth and subtext to the character's arc and enhances the story's thematic resonance
- Example: A character shedding a literal or figurative mask to reveal their true self (Marty Byrde in "Ozark")
Key Terms to Review (17)
Antagonist: An antagonist is a character, group, or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict and driving the narrative forward. The antagonist's role is essential in storytelling, as they challenge the protagonist’s goals and contribute to their development through various obstacles and conflicts. Understanding the antagonist helps in analyzing character dynamics, story structure, and the emotional journey of the protagonist.
Backstory: Backstory refers to the history and background information of characters and events that precede the main narrative. It enriches the storytelling by providing context, enhancing character development, and creating emotional depth that connects audiences with the storyline and its players.
Catharsis: Catharsis is the emotional release or purification that occurs in the audience as they engage with a narrative, often through experiencing strong feelings like pity or fear. This process not only allows viewers to connect deeply with the characters and their journeys but also serves to highlight the central themes and motifs of the story, creating a powerful resonance that enhances the overall impact of the narrative.
Character Flaws: Character flaws are the imperfections or weaknesses in a character that often drive their motivations, decisions, and actions throughout a story. These flaws can create internal conflict and are essential for character development, as they often lead to growth or change over the course of the narrative.
Characterization: Characterization is the process by which an author or filmmaker reveals the personality, traits, and motivations of characters in a story. It is crucial for building relatable characters that resonate with the audience, driving emotional engagement and plot development. Understanding how characterization intertwines with character arcs helps to create dynamic growth within characters as they encounter challenges throughout the narrative.
Dialogue: Dialogue refers to the spoken exchanges between characters in a screenplay, serving as a crucial tool for revealing personality, advancing the plot, and conveying themes. It connects deeply with character development, as well as the way stories are structured and presented on screen. Good dialogue is not just about what characters say but how they say it, reflecting their emotions and motivations.
Flat Arc: A flat arc refers to a character arc where the character experiences little to no change throughout the story. Unlike characters with dynamic arcs, who evolve and grow, those with flat arcs maintain their core beliefs and traits, often serving as a stable influence on others. This type of arc emphasizes the consistency of the character's values, allowing them to impact the story without undergoing significant personal transformation.
Inciting Incident: The inciting incident is a crucial moment in a story that sets the main plot into motion, creating conflict and compelling the protagonist to take action. This pivotal event disrupts the status quo, leading to the rising action and driving character development throughout the narrative. It typically occurs early in the screenplay and connects deeply with themes, character arcs, and overall structure.
Joseph Campbell: Joseph Campbell was an American mythologist, writer, and lecturer known for his work in comparative mythology and literature, particularly for developing the concept of the Hero's Journey. His theories emphasize the universal patterns found in myths and stories across different cultures, highlighting how these narratives shape human experience and character development. His ideas have been particularly influential in understanding character arcs in storytelling, as they illustrate the transformative journey characters undergo throughout their narratives.
Mentor: A mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor who provides guidance, support, and encouragement to a less experienced person, often referred to as a mentee. This relationship can play a crucial role in personal and professional growth, particularly in creative fields like writing and filmmaking, where character development, feedback, and networking are essential for success.
Motivation: Motivation refers to the driving force behind a character's actions and decisions throughout a story. It's what compels characters to pursue their goals, influencing their choices and growth along their journey. Understanding motivation is crucial because it shapes character arcs, defines relationships between protagonists and antagonists, influences script feedback, and reveals the depth of character backstories.
Protagonist: The protagonist is the main character in a story, often facing challenges and driving the narrative forward. This character usually undergoes significant development and is central to the plot, interacting with other characters, particularly the antagonist, and navigating the conflicts that arise. Understanding the protagonist's journey is crucial for analyzing elements like structure, character growth, and thematic depth in storytelling.
Robert McKee: Robert McKee is a renowned screenwriting lecturer and author, best known for his book 'Story,' which has become a foundational text in the field of screenwriting. His teachings focus on the essential elements of storytelling, such as structure, character development, and effective dialogue, making his insights critical for understanding narrative construction in screenplays.
Subplot: A subplot is a secondary story that runs parallel to the main narrative in a film or script, often adding depth and complexity to the overall story. Subplots can provide insight into characters, themes, and conflicts, allowing for richer storytelling. They often explore different facets of the main plot or character arcs, creating additional layers of meaning and engagement for the audience.
Three-act structure: The three-act structure is a narrative framework that divides a story into three distinct sections: setup, confrontation, and resolution. This model helps writers create a cohesive flow, guiding the audience through the development of characters and plot while maintaining pacing and dramatic tension.
Tragic flaw: A tragic flaw is a character trait or defect that leads to the downfall of a protagonist in a story, often resulting in their tragic end. This flaw is typically an inherent weakness or limitation, such as hubris, jealousy, or impulsiveness, that causes the character to make poor decisions. In the context of character arcs, a tragic flaw plays a crucial role in the development and transformation of the character throughout the narrative.
Transformation Arc: A transformation arc is a type of character arc that involves significant change in a character's beliefs, values, or identity throughout a story. This arc showcases the journey of a character from one state of being to another, often resulting in personal growth or a profound realization. It emphasizes the character's internal struggles and how external events influence their evolution, ultimately leading to a resolution that reflects this change.