Tragedy in Fiction
How do we deal with tragedy in the media that we consume?
“I hope they don’t die,” we think, as we grip onto the edge of our couch and stare up at the screen. Maybe there is no screen, perhaps the character in peril exists between the pages of a book instead.
Either way you are invested in their fictional life. Adrenaline is pumping through your veins. The suspense is nearly nerve-wracking.
For as long as stories have existed, writers have been throwing their creations into the throes of danger. Sometimes this is to keep the audience captivated; ending chapters, episodes, or entire stories in cliffhangers where the fate of a beloved character is hanging in the balance. Do they live? Do they die? You must know, and so you are compelled to continue onward.
But what happens when there’s resolution, and that character, the one that kept you going, has died?
Does killing off characters turn off readers? Does it ruin a story, or help it?
For readers, the answers to these questions are often determined on a case by case basis. However, to some, the pain, or loss, is just too great. It leaves a sour taste in their mouth and a poor memory of the work, even if they had enjoyed it otherwise. To others, as long as the death is justified and not being used purely for shock factor, it’s a necessary evil, one that enhances the story and provides a much-needed emotional weight.
As a writer who has never shied away from killing off a character when the plot called for it, I’ve been frequently warned that readers don’t enjoy “unhappy” endings. But is that true? Tragedies are a staple in the writing world. In fact, many of the classics have endings that are easily classified as “unhappy,” such as Romeo and Juliet, Anna Karenina, The Great Gatsby… These works all end in misfortune or disaster for the main characters, and yet we love them still. So perhaps we, as readers, secretly enjoy it when tragedy strikes – we simply don’t like to admit it.
Ultimately, it’s a fine line to walk, and everyone will have a differing opinion. After all, that’s the beauty of storytelling. Every reader can interpret it in their own way. That’s why it’s probably best not to worry too deeply about how your readers will interpret your ending, and fret over whether or not they’ll love or hate it. Most likely, if you’ve written it well enough, they’ll do both.