Friday, May 29, 2015

Reasons & Realities 39



The Rabbit Hole
     It’s time to take a look on the other side of the looking glass.
There is something seldom discussed when remembering or contemplating your favorite book, movie, or television show and that is the fame Rabbit Hole. It’s always present and yet no one has ever thought about it unless it is brought to your attention. For those who wish this mystery to remain so, then you should stop reading this article right now. For those who wish to look behind the magician’s curtain, this one is for you. First let us start with the unknowing character, then the metamorphosis, and lastly the reward. Most stories have these three things in common. Even when you have a known villain, they didn’t start out that way and no one’s hands are completely clean or a truly innocent hero or heroine who had never said or done a bad thing in their entire life. My point is, there is a beginning, a reason for change, and the reward that comes from this change.

Clueless
     he basis for all stories, both large and small, from the big screen to the TV, and from books and magazines is the character who is unknowing, is a know it all, or just plain stupid. It isn’t prevalent at first glance, but these characters are fated for greatness or are the only one who is capable of doing something extraordinary. They can start out as some farm hand who looks to the stars and dream. They can be the shy girl in glasses who best and only friend is seen as unremarkable as them. Yet they could even be the boy next door who everyone overlooks and no one knows his name. These unique characters I would consider as the reason for change or is changed for a reason. No matter for what underline reason they are the catalyst for all future events both good and bad and they never see any of this coming their way. These chosen few seldom have a choice but to change themselves, which will change those around them, and always change their environment. Unfortunately, for these reluctant heroes and heroines they always ask the same question in one form or fashion; Why Me!

Why Me
     This is the age old question that is always asked and yet never truly answered. And even if an answer is given, it is far beyond the comprehension of the person who asks it that it will only cause them to have more questions or become more confused than they were when they ask the question in the first place. However, the one thing that is perfectly clear is that their journey has begun (through some tragedy or bad situation), there is a reason for the journey (normally for them to survive by escaping someone out to do them harm), and small trials and tribulations they have little choice but to overcome. These obstacles may seem insignificant as they appear and are overcome, but the commutative effect on the character when they are combined at the end truly is what made the journey worthwhile and meaningful. Suddenly that answer to the question of why me become clear, but it seldom changes how the main character feels about the whole situation they were forced into.
     Who would dance for joy knowing in the end that they would take it upon themselves to suffer the journey, then for that heavy burden to be placed on someone they wish to protect. Basically, it’s the “If not you then who” and the “Obligation to your parents and theirs throughout history who had sacrificed their lives so you could be born” syndromes. These are only two basic catalysts for change, but for the change to have a direct meaning and reason there has to be a bit more. This is where the carrot and the stick comes into play. This is where that extra little nudge to push the main character forward when they are at their lowest emotionally. This is where they emerge from the fire and is forged for the final confutation and has a reason greater than themselves. Of course this as also where everyone chooses sides that will determine the final outcome. Well, sometimes?

You’ve Got To Be Kidding
     This is the part of the show that stops everything and leave you scratching your head, wiping away tears, or on the floor laughing with people all around happily cheering. This is the big finish, the grand finally, and what everyone had been waiting for only to cheer, cry, or get really pissed off because they had a different idea how it would all end. The one thing that can’t be overlooked is that it must end and that the ending must satisfy the initial need for the story to exist. In other words, something profound must happen to the main character good or extremely bad. Hey, no one had ever said the ending has to be a happy one, only that it has to end. I’ve said this before, but check out the original story and not just the “Happily Ever After:” endings that are most popular. One of which (and don’t tell your kids) is The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen.
      The actual story is one of morality and sacrifice. However, anyway you look at it, the WOW factor is still there. Once again, there is a change. In most cases the change in the main character is vast but the underline person is still the same. The reason for this (in my opinion) is to fight off that old saying that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. By allowing the main character to triumph over evil, gain wealth and power unimaginable, and of course get the girl or guy, to show what they had gain had changed them and everyone around them for the better, the foundation of who they were before their grand adventure had begun must remain. they may now rule all they survey and yet can still be found up early in the morning fetching water from a nearby well, grabbing a few eggs from the hen-house, cooking over a hot stove using spices to fill the air with exotic smells that makes the mouth water, and take joy watching the sun rise while breaking their fast (with their husband the king or wife the queen that is).
     What is most important about the Rabbit Hole is that it starts with a need, there is a journey that fulfills that need, and the change that need had manifest for the better and not only for the main character, but for everyone around them. SD Tracy Harper


Illustration; www.www.etsy.com.
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