One element of fiction that remains compelling no matter what is change. Perhaps this is due to our desire for personal growth, or the way we hope to be adaptable to real-life conflict. Whatever the cause, change in a narrative feels dynamic, impactful and true to life.
Change could concern a relationship (from friends to enemies: Michael and Fredo in Mario Puzo’s The Godfather Part II screenplay); a change in attitude (from indecision to murderous determination: Hamlet in Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet); a change in morals (a descent from civility to brutality: Jack Merridew in William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies); and so on. Whatever the form of change, a story with it will feel more compelling than without it.
Below are several quotes from The Lord of the Flies (Kindle Edition) that capture the changing dynamic between the lead characters, Ralph and Jack.
Jack and Ralph smiled at each other with shy liking. (p.16)
Not even Ralph knew how a link between him and Jack had been snapped and fastened elsewhere. (p.61)
They met with a jolt and bounced apart. Jack swung with his fist at Ralph and caught him on the ear. (p.161)
‘I’m Chief!’ Viciously, with full intention, he hurled his spear at Ralph. The point tore the skin and flesh over Ralph’s ribs, then sheared off and fell in the water. Ralph stumbled, feeling not pain but panic… (p.162)
The decline in Ralph and Jack’s relationship is a key part of why their tale is so compelling and is far more impactful than if they had begun the story as enemies; naturally, the main ingredient to this effect is change.