Dramatica Theory Book

Chapter 12: The Elements of Structure -- Theme (Continued)

Concerns:

Choosing the Type most prominent in a particular throughline sets up the Concerns which will be most important from that point of view. To demonstrate how this might work, let's look at the Concerns of Star Wars.

Star Wars

Objective Story Concern: Doing (Engaging in an activity)-- The Empire is building the Death Star and searching for the location of the Rebels; the Rebels are attempting to keep their location secret; the smuggler is trying to deliver passengers to Alderaan to earn the money he needs to pay off his boss; the passengers are trying to transport the plans of the Death Star to the Rebels who will decipher the plans and launch an attack on the Empire.

Main Character Concern: Progress (The way things are going)-- Luke Skywalker is constantly concerned with how things are going -- "At this rate I'll never get off this rock!" He is impatient and never satisfied with how things are progressing. Once he gets off of Tatooine, he is concerned with how long it will take for him to become a Jedi Knight -- the progress of his training. When Obi Wan gets sliced by Darth Vader, Luke's loss is compounded by the fact that he has lost a friend and a tutor. When they get to the Rebel base, he is concerned about how preparations are going and eventually with his own progress as a pilot in the Rebel attack on the Death Star.

Obstacle Character Concern: The Preconscious (Immediate responses)-- In order to be truly "one with the Force," a persons must completely let go of himself and let the Force act through him. This allows the Force to guide one's unthinking responses and reflexes and to become an unbeatable power for good or evil. This is Obi Wan's greatest concern and his efforts here impact everyone around him, especially Luke.

Subjective Story Concern: Being (Temporarily adopting a lifestyle)-- Obi Wan wants Luke to be the faithful student, while Luke just wants to be a Hero without really understanding what good it does to be quiet and controlled like Obi Wan. Luke's farm-boy lifestyle is not at all in sync with his true nature as Obi Wan sees him. Obi Wan knows that Luke is the son of a Jedi and therefore he tries to manipulate Luke out of being what he's not.