Spoiler Alerts and Evaluating Stories

With the exception of mystery narratives, I am one of those people for whom spoiler alerts are not taboo. I have two reasons for this perspective, and in this post I want to walk through these.

First, there are in reality seven stories. Put another way, all stories fall under one of seven basic story concepts. In The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories (2004), Christopher Booker lists these seven as: 1) Overcoming the Monster, 2) Rags to Riches, 3) The Quest, 4) Voyage and Return, 5) Comedy, 6) Tragedy and 7) Rebirth.

There is of course debate over this idea but even if we want to deny these particular seven, the reality is stories are predictable. I mean, does anyone really doubt that Frodo will throw the ring into the fires of Mount Doom, or that Ebeneezer Scrouge would not change his ways?

An unpredictable writer does not mean the same thing as a talented writer. Some of the best stories in the world are all too formulaic. So it's not the thrill of being surprised that creates an enjoyable tale. In fact, I would posit that the best stories can be read over and over again- even after the surprises and reveals are found. Stories should draw us instead by their imagery, their characters, their backdrop- all of the elements woven into the narrative tapestry.

Take the basic plot device of romance found in countless yarns. You could place the romance in a so-called "Amish Romance" novel setting (one of the worst things to happen in "Christian" fiction since the gospel of Thomas and the council of Trent) and I would never touch it. Make the backdrop a space opera or a fantasy world and I'm interested.

Please note that I'm not excusing a lack of creativity in developing a plot itself. Yarn spinners are advised to avoid the Zane Grey syndrome of using the exact same plot over and over again. A good writer can take a well-worn and beloved story-arc and give it a fresh perspective. It's the difference between a piece of clay that needs to be molded and a stamp with some color variation.

So that takes care of the first reason. At the end of the day, I don't really need a story to surprise me for me to enjoy it. Now I indicated I have two reasons for not avoiding spoilers, so here's the second one.

There are a ton of books and movies out there. I really would like to know, especially with movies, "Is this story worth my time?" So-called "spoilers" help in making such decisions.

There you have, my full confession. Don't worry, I won't be a spoiler but I do think the mentality says something significant about how we process stories in age where novelty is king of the cinema instead of artistry.