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rainwatersparkThe message in a story isn't just about what the author explicitly says—it's also about what story implies based on how the narrative is structured.
(I've been trying to write a post on this subject forever, and I might be finally articulating it.)
This is a topic I think a lot about, but I don't see many authors or readers talking about.
For example, a book can say, explicitly, that what Character B does is wrong and harmful to Character A. But, if Character A agrees to a romantic relationship with Character B, then the narrative itself has ultimately forgiven Character B for what they've done.
A story can say, explicitly, that romance doesn't cure mental illness. But, if the climax of the book is Character A's mental illness/suicidal ideation/etc. and realization that they shouldn't kill themselves because of their Significant Other, or Character A agrees to therapy/treatment solely because Character B brings it up, then the narrative is still implicitly saying that romance has saved the mentally ill character's life.
A story can explicitly say that sex isn't necessary for a romantic relationship to be loving and happy. But if the climax of the book is the two characters having some kind of sexual contact, the narrative is still implying that sex is the "climax" of a relationship (no pun intended).
Events in a book speak as loudly as words.
(I've been trying to write a post on this subject forever, and I might be finally articulating it.)
This is a topic I think a lot about, but I don't see many authors or readers talking about.
For example, a book can say, explicitly, that what Character B does is wrong and harmful to Character A. But, if Character A agrees to a romantic relationship with Character B, then the narrative itself has ultimately forgiven Character B for what they've done.
A story can say, explicitly, that romance doesn't cure mental illness. But, if the climax of the book is Character A's mental illness/suicidal ideation/etc. and realization that they shouldn't kill themselves because of their Significant Other, or Character A agrees to therapy/treatment solely because Character B brings it up, then the narrative is still implicitly saying that romance has saved the mentally ill character's life.
A story can explicitly say that sex isn't necessary for a romantic relationship to be loving and happy. But if the climax of the book is the two characters having some kind of sexual contact, the narrative is still implying that sex is the "climax" of a relationship (no pun intended).
Events in a book speak as loudly as words.
