The landscape of storytelling, whether unfolding on a grand cinematic stage or within the pages of a beloved novel, often relies on foundational structures and narrative shortcuts. These devices, when employed with fresh insight, can propel a plot forward, deepen character arcs, and create truly memorable experiences. Yet, there’s a distinct category of such tools that, through sheer repetition, have shed their initial potency, becoming instead predictable signposts rather than compelling mysteries. Understanding a challenging
crossword clue
often means dissecting common concepts, and few concepts are as common in narrative as the overused plot device.
The allure of these narrative crutches is understandable. They offer a convenient solution to complex plot problems, an easy path to dramatic tension, or a quick resolution to seemingly insurmountable conflicts. For creators facing deadlines or striving for mass appeal, a familiar trope can seem like a safe bet, a universally recognized symbol that requires little setup. However, this very familiarity breeds contempt, or at the very least, a profound sense of narrative fatigue among audiences. The moment a particular scenario unfolds, the seasoned viewer or reader can often forecast the entire trajectory of the story, stripping away the very suspense and discovery that makes storytelling engaging. This predictability can feel as familiar as a well-worn
crossword clue
, prompting a knowing nod rather than a surprising revelation.
Consider the pervasive nature of certain reveals or sudden turns. The long-lost sibling or parent appearing out of nowhere, often conveniently equipped with vital information or a timely intervention. The amnesia plot, wiping the slate clean for a character, only for memories to return at the most opportune, or inconvenient, moment. The sudden inheritance from an unknown relative, instantly solving all financial woes and often kicking off an adventure. These are but a few examples from a vast lexicon of narrative shortcuts that, while once innovative, have become shorthand for a lack of originality. Identifying such a plot point, especially when presented as a cryptic
crossword clue
, requires a certain narrative literacy.
Another common offender involves the sudden intervention of an external, often divine or overwhelmingly powerful, force to resolve an otherwise inextricable plot. This feels less like organic storytelling and more like a writer throwing their hands up in the air, creating a solution that hasn’t been earned by the preceding events. Similarly, the entire narrative being relegated to a dream sequence, negating all the emotional investment and dramatic stakes, is a device that typically evokes groans rather than gasps. When a
crossword clue
points to a narrative device, it often refers to one of these well-established, perhaps overly established, tropes.
The challenge for storytellers, and indeed for those who enjoy dissecting narrative structures as much as they do a complex
crossword clue
, lies in finding freshness within familiar archetypes. It’s not necessarily about abandoning all common plot elements, but about infusing them with unique perspectives, unexpected twists, or a deeper character motivation that transcends mere convenience. For any avid solver, encountering a particularly well-crafted
crossword clue
is a delight because it hints at a deeper understanding without revealing all. In the same vein, truly compelling stories hint at universal themes and structures without relying on the tired, the predictable, or the unearned. The subtle art of a great
crossword clue
lies in its ability to hint without revealing; similarly, great storytelling hints at possibilities without resorting to the obvious.
Available Answers:
TROPE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Monday’s Daily By Janice Luttrell / Ed. Patti Varol