Plot Device: Difference between revisions
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It may also be an object or gadget introduced early in the story for the sole purpose of [[Chekhov's Gun|solving a sticky situation later on]]. |
It may also be an object or gadget introduced early in the story for the sole purpose of [[Chekhov's Gun|solving a sticky situation later on]]. |
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The term is commonly used in a derisory manner, on the grounds that the best stories are character driven, and using an object to make things happen is thus seen as a sign of bad writing. However, there are [[Tropes Are Tools|plenty of good stories]] which do indeed revolve around a plot device; equally, a plot device can very easily be used to generate conflict and thus spark a character-driven story. |
The term is commonly used in a derisory manner, on the grounds that the best stories are character driven, and using an object to make things happen is thus seen as a sign of bad writing. However, there are [[Tropes Are Tools|plenty of good stories]] which do indeed revolve around a plot device; equally, a plot device can very easily be used to generate conflict and thus spark a character-driven story. |
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Whenever someone uses the term derisively (if they are using the term properly), it is because there is a dissonance between it and the actual needs of the story. For example, the hero has a chance to stop the [[Big Bad]] but he is called away because his wife is [[Trapped by Mountain Lions]]. It makes the story more complicated without adding anything in return. The villain doesn't build any credentials by setting up the [[Sadistic Choice]] and the hero doesn't spend time agonizing over his missed opportunity. |
Whenever someone uses the term derisively (if they are using the term properly), it is because there is a dissonance between it and the actual needs of the story. For example, the hero has a chance to stop the [[Big Bad]] but he is called away because his wife is [[Trapped by Mountain Lions]]. It makes the story more complicated without adding anything in return. The villain doesn't build any credentials by setting up the [[Sadistic Choice]] and the hero doesn't spend time agonizing over his missed opportunity. |
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'''Subtropes:''' |
'''Subtropes:''' |
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{{quote|The [[Fun with Acronyms|Phased Linear Oscillation Transducer]] is a miraculous device, capable of producing such a variety of effects that many find it simply unbelievable. However, overusing a P.L.O.T. device can have serious consequences, and the more [[Egregious]] uses can strain the very fabric of reality. P.L.O.T devices have fallen out of favor overall, but many a young and reckless pioneer has picked up a well-used P.L.O.T. device and run with it.}} |
{{quote|The [[Fun with Acronyms|Phased Linear Oscillation Transducer]] is a miraculous device, capable of producing such a variety of effects that many find it simply unbelievable. However, overusing a P.L.O.T. device can have serious consequences, and the more [[Egregious]] uses can strain the very fabric of reality. P.L.O.T devices have fallen out of favor overall, but many a young and reckless pioneer has picked up a well-used P.L.O.T. device and run with it.}} |
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* Mr. Mighty of ''[[Everyday Heroes]]'' realizes that he can subject Matt O'Morph to a bit of [[Harmless Freezing]] with a [http://www.webcomicsnation.com/eddurd/everydayheroes/series.php?view=single&ID=92146 carbon-dioxide fire extinguisher] ... which has a label on the side that reads, "Warning, Plot Device!" |
* Mr. Mighty of ''[[Everyday Heroes]]'' realizes that he can subject Matt O'Morph to a bit of [[Harmless Freezing]] with a [http://www.webcomicsnation.com/eddurd/everydayheroes/series.php?view=single&ID=92146 carbon-dioxide fire extinguisher] ... which has a label on the side that reads, "Warning, Plot Device!" |
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* A literal plot device can be seen here in this [[Cyanide |
* A literal plot device can be seen here in this [[Cyanide & Happiness]] strip: [http://www.explosm.net/comics/1295/\] |
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* In ''[[Nip and Tuck]]'', when [http://www.rhjunior.com/NT/00620.html a character complains of an obvious plot device] in the [[Show Within a Show]], someone else informs him it was [[Real Life]]. |
* In ''[[Nip and Tuck]]'', when [http://www.rhjunior.com/NT/00620.html a character complains of an obvious plot device] in the [[Show Within a Show]], someone else informs him it was [[Real Life]]. |
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* [http://vimeo.com/24320919 This] short by Seth Worley features a device called [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|Plot Device]], which is a yellow box with large friendly letters reading "Plot Device" with a [[Big Red Button]] on its top and enables the user to turn his life in a movie and travel between different film genres. |
* [http://vimeo.com/24320919 This] short by Seth Worley features a device called [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|Plot Device]], which is a yellow box with large friendly letters reading "Plot Device" with a [[Big Red Button]] on its top and enables the user to turn his life in a movie and travel between different film genres. |
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* One ''[[Captain Mar-Vell]]'' comic, starring Genis-Vell, featured a very clever Kree fellow named "Plaht," whose "device" cleared away several plot inconveniences. |
* One ''[[Captain Mar-Vell]]'' comic, starring Genis-Vell, featured a very clever Kree fellow named "Plaht," whose "device" cleared away several plot inconveniences. |
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* In ''[[The Dresden Files (game)|The Dresden Files]]'' RPG, certain characters are noted as being "plot device level" characters. Most of them are considered '''Plot Devices''' because they're so ridiculously powerful that no [[Player Party]] would ever reasonably be able to take them on directly, making stats meaningless, and thus would have to outmanuever, work around, or run away from them; these include the [[The Fair Folk|Faerie Queens]], [[Our Angels Are Different|Angels]], and [[Our Dragons Are Different|Dragons]]. A handful, however, are noted as being a '''Plot Device''' because they're so far down on the other side of the scale that they can only really provide one specific and specialized purpose, such as [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Elidee]], a tiny pixie—even by pixie standards—who shows up briefly in one book to serve as a guide/flashlight for Dresden. |
* In ''[[The Dresden Files (game)|The Dresden Files]]'' RPG, certain characters are noted as being "plot device level" characters. Most of them are considered '''Plot Devices''' because they're so ridiculously powerful that no [[Player Party]] would ever reasonably be able to take them on directly, making stats meaningless, and thus would have to outmanuever, work around, or run away from them; these include the [[The Fair Folk|Faerie Queens]], [[Our Angels Are Different|Angels]], and [[Our Dragons Are Different|Dragons]]. A handful, however, are noted as being a '''Plot Device''' because they're so far down on the other side of the scale that they can only really provide one specific and specialized purpose, such as [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Elidee]], a tiny pixie—even by pixie standards—who shows up briefly in one book to serve as a guide/flashlight for Dresden. |
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[[Category:Narrative Tropes]] |
[[Category:Narrative Tropes]] |
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[[Category:Index]] |
[[Category:Index]] |
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