Stories Stories and Worldviews All stories happen in

Stories

Stories and Worldviews All stories happen in the context of a worldview of the author or screenwriter. The purpose or meaning of the characters and what they do is dictated by the worldview developed by the author of the book or screenplay.

Story Theme The theme of a story is its message. The plot of a story, the sequence of events that occur, is the vehicle for its theme.

The Story’s Hero (Male or Female) The hero is the main character in the story. The hero usually is the person with positive qualities that the audience identifies with. In some stories the villain may be the main character which gives us an insight from his/her point of view.

The Hero’s Goal A hero’s goal or desire is what makes a story work.

The Adversary The adversary opposes the hero and his goal. Often the adversary represents a contrasting belief system to the hero’s belief system. The adversary can be a character, a force (ex: chance) or nature itself. An adversary can be evil or a mix of good and bad or a character with positive attributes.

The Character Flaw(s) At the start of the story, the hero sees life in the wrong way or behaves inappropriately. (S)he has character flaws that change through experiences or struggles and finally at the end of the story, the hero has learned the right way to behave and view life. The progression of changes in the hero’s attitudes/behaviours is called the “character arc”.

Comedy vs Drama If the “character arc” has the hero learning to respond appropriately, the result is either a comedy or a drama. If the “character arc” has the hero responding inappropriately the result is either a comedy or a tragedy.

The Apparent Defeat As the story unfolds, the hero is blocked from getting his goals by his adversary and his character flaw(s). (S)he may have moments of partial victory but finally all the options have been tried and blocked so that the hero faces an “apparent defeat”. The hero now faces a horrible fate, possibly death.

Final Confrontation In what looks like defeat, the hero is forced to “visit death” or to “run the gauntlet”. The hero faces the adversary in a final confrontation. The adversary explains to the hero why he has opposed the hero. The adversary’s worldview, the one the audience is being urged to reject, becomes clear.

Self-Revelation In apparent defeat, facing the adversary and dire consequences, the hero now has a moment of truth and possible change. The hero now realizes that what he wanted was not what he needed. The worldview that the audience is encouraged to embrace is now clearly visible. The hero now is overcomed by or finds a way to overcome the adversary.

Resolution The resolution, also called the denouement, is a short epilogue which shows what happens as a result of the hero’s change or lack of change.

Redemption A case could be made that movies are essentially about redemption. They are about how a person needs to respond to inner flaws and external crises to become a changed person who is now able to overcome both inner and external obstacles. The person is redeemed in this conversion experience.

A Christian’s Story of Redemption Any person has goals to make living their life worthwhile. Goals can be to become famous, wealthy, married/loved, escape the world with drugs etc.

Adversary and Character Flaw In a Christian worldview, Satan is our adversary and sin is our character flaw that keeps us from achieving peace and contentment.

Character Flaw and Wrong Worldview We try to control our lives and think that this is how we will gain satisfaction along with inner peace and contentment. But we and our actions are not the solution, we are the problem.

Apparent Defeat We come to a point in our lives where our attempts to control and to satisfy ourselves meet with frustration and defeat.

Final Confrontation We come to see that we are not in control, that our goals are misguided and do not bring significance.

Self-Revelation We now come to realize that we wanted was not what we needed. Our frustration comes from our own inner faults – our sins. We now come to see that living for a loving Creator and His desires is what brings us fulfillment and joy. Life needs to be lived prayerfully, listening to and following the Spirit’s daily prompting in day-to-day affairs.

Resolution When Christians repent (change their minds/hearts, seeing things from God’s perspective), their lives change leading to a resolution in which life has new meaning and purpose.

Christian Testimonies Christian stories or testimonies are about lives that have been redeemed by giving over our life’s control to a loving Creator and living by the example of Jesus.

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