Most works of fiction rely on the use of tropes to convey the story to readers. Whether it's a broad theme like "man vs. nature" or a specific characterization like "The Chosen One". These tropes play a crucial role. In my work in progress, Æther, I'm focusing on a few tropes that I'd like to explore.
Let's start with Accismus, a rhetorical trope where someone pretends to refuse something they actually desire. While commonly found in fictional narratives, this trope can also be applied to real-life situations to add humor, playfulness, or intrigue to interactions. Here are a few examples:
1. Invitations: Instead of simply accepting a party invitation, you could employ Accismus by responding with a playful refusal, such as, "Oh, I don't know if I should go. Parties are usually so much fun, and I wouldn't want to have a great time with awesome people. But okay, I guess I'll make an exception this time!"
2. Compliments: When someone compliments you, you can respond with an Accismus-infused reply to downplay your achievements or appearance. For instance, if someone says, "You look stunning today," you could respond with a lighthearted refusal like, "Oh, stop it! I just happen to accidentally put together a decent outfit from time to time."
3. Gift-giving: If someone offers you a gift, you can show appreciation while employing Accismus. You might say, "Wow, this is amazing! I definitely don't need another snow globe. My house is just overflowing with snow globes, but I suppose I could make room for this one. Thank you so much!"
4. Requests for assistance: When someone asks for your help, you can playfully refuse using Accismus. For example, if a colleague asks for assistance with a project, you could say, "Oh, I'm not sure if I'm the right person for the job. I'm terrible at public speaking! I might accidentally make things worse. But if you're desperate, I'll give it a shot!"
In my story, this last example serves as the jumping-off point. The main character resides in a town, knowing they have something more to offer the world. They yearn to be asked to venture forth but seek permission to break free. Through acts of refusal, they hope others will help them shed their chains. They search for support in their closest family and allies, seeking the confidence to accept their desires. The desire itself is a crucial aspect of Accismus. The manner of refusal carries significance—whether it's haughty, cocky, humble, lighthearted, or scared. Fear plays a significant role in the main character's denial, leading them to underestimate themselves and their abilities. This theme of wanting to do more while grappling with guilt over potentially abandoning those in need becomes the focal point of the first section of my book. I hope it resonates with readers who have experienced similar emotions and allows them to identify with the character.
The overarching arc of the first part revolves around leaving home and discovering a shattered world. By emphasizing trepidation and fear in the main character, I aim to create a protagonist who doesn't immediately garner unwavering support from the audience. He will have to earn their affection and loyalty. I believe in the philosophy that readers shouldn't blindly side with a character simply because they are introduced first. Therefore, I plan to introduce this flaw at the beginning of the book, starting the main character with a negative balance. He will have to work hard to climb out of this character hole and earn his way into the readers' hearts.
I'm excited to delve more in to tropes and character development in this blog and hope that my three pillars are able to keep people entertained and talking! Thanks for stopping in for writing exploration on Mondays!
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