| |
Dramatica Theory Book
Chapter
7: Grouping the 16 Motivation Elements (Continued)
"Oz"
Characters
in Four Motivation Quads
The Wizard of Oz
In looking at these
patterns, the Passenger Characters in The Wizard of Oz seem
very much like the Passenger Characters in Star Wars, with
that one notable exception of the "flipping" of Logic and Feeling
in relation to Control and Uncontrolled. In other words, the two Characters
simply traded places on one Dynamic Pair of Elements in a single Quad.
It makes sense that a stereotypical Reason Character would be logical
AND controlled, and a stereotypical Emotion Character would be feeling
AND uncontrolled. But if you simply flip the Action Characteristics in
relation to the Decision Characteristics, far more versatile Characters
are created -- characters whose approach is no longer in complement
to their attitude, but in conflict with it. In a sense, these Characters
are made more interesting by creating an inequity within them even
as they continue to represent methods of problem solving within the Story
Mind.
Looking at the Wizard and the Wicked Witch we see that the other kind
of swapping of characteristics also creates much less stereotypical Characters.
Rather than a tempter, the Wicked Witch becomes a completely action-oriented
pest not only trying to prevent Dorothy from achieving her goal, but hindering
her every step on the way as well. The Wizard becomes a purely decision-oriented
tempter who represents taking the apparent easy way out while also (through
his fearsome reputation, embodiment, and requests) urging Dorothy and
her friends to reconsider their decisions. This lack of action characteristics
may help explain why the Wizard is so obviously absent during most of
the story, although his influence is felt throughout. Obviously, the nature
of the combinations of characteristics has a great impact on which decisions
and actions the audience will expect and accept from a Character.
|
