Positive Character Arc

In most stories, Character Arc is closely tied to plot.  Often, the events we put our characters though are simply a means of bringing about their character arc.  Even in less-character-driven stories, a solid character arc can add a dimension of flavor that helps audiences empathize with the protagonist.

In my work, I distinguish between Major  and Minor character arcs.  The difference is simply that a Major arc drives plot events.  The protagonist's battle with their flaws influences their decisions and actions, and their actions have consequences that affect the outcome of plot events.  In a Major arc, events happen because of the character arc.  A Minor arc is driven by plot events.  Circumstances induce change in the protagonist, and their responses are primarily mental.  In Minor arcs, the character arc happens because of the events.

Of course, both arcs can work both ways, Minor arcs can influence events, and Major arcs can be influenced by events, but one will always happen more than the other.  The difference is which causal direction dominates the story.

On to the types of character arc:

The vast majority of modern stories use a Positive character arc, which deals with a protagonist who somehow changes for the better.  Typically, this entails overcoming some inherent flaw, or making some moral improvement.

K.M. Weiland, in her series on structuring characters, defines this initial flaw as the lie the character believes.  I find this definition useful, because it naturally lends itself to the idea of some opposing truth.  We will use these definitions for the remainder of this series.

In a positive arc, the character starts off believing a lie.  The lie can be big or small.  My favorite example-monkey, Dr. Alan Grant starts Jurassic Park believing the relatively small lie that "kids aren't worth the trouble".  In Star Wars, Luke Skywalker starts off believing the comparatively larger lie that ordinary citizens are powerless against the Empire.

The positive arc begins when an Impact Character (see Character Roles for more) either points out the lie, or does something that otherwise draws the protagonist's attention to the lie.  Sometimes, instead of an Impact Character, it is the Inciting or Key event that makes the protagonist aware of the lie.  But the character arc begins when the character's lie first interferes with their life.

But they don't stop believing it right away.  In fact, the first blush of awareness often results in the protagonist proudly proclaiming their belief in the lie, standing by it even in the face of obvious opposition.

Act Two starts applying pressure.  The lie becomes increasingly inconvenient, until it comes to a head during the Midpoint Sequence.  During the Reaction Phase of the Midpoint Sequence, the character comes to some important realization about the lie, either conscious or subconscious.  This transitions them from a reactive stance, to a proactive stance.

Act Three shows them taking concrete action in opposition to the lie.  They make some progress, but then Turning Point Three hits them like a ton of bricks, and they fall to a low point where all seems lost, and they are tempted to go back to the lie.

But then, in Act Four, the protagonist gets some boost that helps them push into the Final Showdown.  In a positive Arc, the protagonist wins the Final Showdown, and this victory fuels their momentum away from the lie, toward the truth.

The essential nature of the positive arc is that it shows the protagonist overcoming some lie, and accepting the truth.  The truth might be about themselves, or the world, but whatever it is, it makes the protagonist's life more congruent with their environment.  Even if the truth is a painful one, it ultimately makes them happier, because they are no longer living out of step with reality.

People like positive arcs.  People like seeing others change for the better.  We like stories that celebrate the best in us.  So it's no mistake that the positive arc is the most popular.

Every story makes some kind of Story Argument.  A positive arc argues that human beings are capable of positive change, but it also argues that whatever change occurs is a positive change.  Dr. Alan Grant learns that kids are worth taking care of, therefore Jurassic Park argues that children are worthwhile.

But not everyone will agree with that conclusion.  Some people hate kids, and as despicable as I think that is, it is their right to believe it.  A writer that believes that might write a story where the protagonist proclaims his independence and shuns children, and they can just as easily use a positive arc to argue that.

When you decide on or discover your story's theme, you will have some opinion on it.  Figure out what you believe about the theme, and decide what argument you want to make.  In general, the positive arc is the most effective way to argue that something is, in fact, positive.  Not everyone will see it your way, but if you keep this in mind as you plot, they will at least hear you.

And if you're a writer, and you don't want to be heard, you're in the wrong business.

Next, we'll look at Flat Character Arc.