Themes, Morals, and Metaphors
I've been thinking a lot about my writing of late. I want to tell a story, after all. I have a decent idea of the dynamics of Cerrinus itself and how the events of the story are driven by the politics and power-struggles of its various kingdoms and republics. I have decent idea of major divisions in the narrative. At least one of those narratives has who I hope will make a compelling antagonist. But what kinds of messages do I want to be sending? I'll list and discuss them in no particular order. This is mostly an exercise for myself, but if you'd like to comment, that's fine too.
1) Revenge is a dish that's best-served....not at all
I can tell you that revenge will be a primary motivating factor for my "floating" antagonist(Lynne) and that other characters will eventually get bitten by this ugly bug. And, you know what? It'll always end badly. Because, well...that's how taking vengeance works. At best, you realize that it wasn't really all that satisfying and the person you took vengeance on either doesn't want to get back at you or can't and has no one who would do so for them. At worst? At worst, the price might be something or some one very dear to you...
2) What exactly are you sacrificing?
I think I touched upon something similar when worrying about Wendy's apparent crazy "do everything all at once!!!" ethos, and how she may be sacrificing a great number of things without truly appreciating what they were or their value. Everyone has goals, and some people choose them more carefully than others. Naturally, other things fall by the wayside. The decisions we make have consequences, as do the paths we choose not to pursue. And, sometimes, we look back, and we wished we had made different choices or that we had been more careful in weighing the consequences of an action.
3) What is morality? At what point along the spectrum does a noble cause get weighed down by the collateral damage?
Most of the major characters in my tale will have their own morality. And I, the author, will avoid judging those moral codes. Instead, I will muddy them, stain them, strain them. When does the greater good override friendship? How much sin is too much to justify? Where is the moral event horizon, if you will, and what does it mean to cross it? Does it mean anything?
I hope to weave some interesting moral dilemmas. I find black and white to be dull. But gray? Gray comes in so many shades...
4) Is doing good deeds for a price noble, or merely profiteering?
This one kind of explains itself. You can't live on grateful smiles, but can you really put a price on charity and still call it as such? Which action is the more important one?
5) What is a justified war? Is there even such a thing?
A trio of wars are big events in which our cast of characters gets caught up. They get paid, of course. Getting paid to kill others, particularly by choice....that isn't very heroic, is it? Are there heroes on the battlefield at all, or is everyone fated to have their souls stained with blood's ghastly taint?
1) Revenge is a dish that's best-served....not at all
I can tell you that revenge will be a primary motivating factor for my "floating" antagonist(Lynne) and that other characters will eventually get bitten by this ugly bug. And, you know what? It'll always end badly. Because, well...that's how taking vengeance works. At best, you realize that it wasn't really all that satisfying and the person you took vengeance on either doesn't want to get back at you or can't and has no one who would do so for them. At worst? At worst, the price might be something or some one very dear to you...
2) What exactly are you sacrificing?
I think I touched upon something similar when worrying about Wendy's apparent crazy "do everything all at once!!!" ethos, and how she may be sacrificing a great number of things without truly appreciating what they were or their value. Everyone has goals, and some people choose them more carefully than others. Naturally, other things fall by the wayside. The decisions we make have consequences, as do the paths we choose not to pursue. And, sometimes, we look back, and we wished we had made different choices or that we had been more careful in weighing the consequences of an action.
3) What is morality? At what point along the spectrum does a noble cause get weighed down by the collateral damage?
Most of the major characters in my tale will have their own morality. And I, the author, will avoid judging those moral codes. Instead, I will muddy them, stain them, strain them. When does the greater good override friendship? How much sin is too much to justify? Where is the moral event horizon, if you will, and what does it mean to cross it? Does it mean anything?
I hope to weave some interesting moral dilemmas. I find black and white to be dull. But gray? Gray comes in so many shades...
4) Is doing good deeds for a price noble, or merely profiteering?
This one kind of explains itself. You can't live on grateful smiles, but can you really put a price on charity and still call it as such? Which action is the more important one?
5) What is a justified war? Is there even such a thing?
A trio of wars are big events in which our cast of characters gets caught up. They get paid, of course. Getting paid to kill others, particularly by choice....that isn't very heroic, is it? Are there heroes on the battlefield at all, or is everyone fated to have their souls stained with blood's ghastly taint?