The resolution, the all-important finale, the final act where all threads come together and we find some semblance of closure. It’s in these final moments that the heart of as story should beats the loudest. Crafting a great ending means having a solid understanding of resolution and how to write or not write one to tell the best story.
What is Resolution in Story and Narrative?
First, let’s define resolution
The resolution of a story is the last impression and audience or reader has about a story. While a great beginning and middle is important, a great ending is the difference between a good and great movie or book. Before we dive into the importance of resolutions, let’s look at its definition.
RESOLUTION DEFINITION LITERATURE
What is a resolution in story?
In storytelling, the resolution is the final section where the narrative's loose ends and plot lines are tied up and the story concludes. It typically follows the climax, providing a sense of closure to the audience by resolving the protagonist's journey, answering lingering questions, and solidifying the story's ultimate message.
What is Resolution in Story Used For?
- Closure
- Impact
- Narrative Coherence
- Reader/Viewer Satisfaction
What is Resolution in Story Used For?
Importance of a Resolution
The resolution is vital in story. Without resolution, audiences and readers can be left confused or unsatisfied. There are a few reasons why resolutions are so critical.
Closure
The resolution provides closure to readers, offering a sense of satisfaction by addressing the unanswered questions and loose ends that may have been left throughout the narrative. It allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of the fate of the characters and the outcome of the story, bringing a sense of completion to the overall experience.
In Albert Camus’ novel The Stranger, the resolution to the book is the ultimate death of the main character. While this is not a happy ending, it does bring closure to the ultimate fate of the central character and the story.
Impact
The resolution has the power to leave a lasting impression on readers. It can evoke emotions, provoke thoughts, or even challenge their perceptions of the entire narrative. By delivering a strong and impactful resolution, writers have the opportunity to create a memorable and thought-provoking experience for their audience.
The 1998 film The Truman Show ends with Truman Burbank leaving his fabricated reality show life for the real world. This resolution leaves viewers pondering about reality, personal freedom, and media's influence
The Truman Show Ending • Examples of Resolution in Story
Narrative Coherence
The resolution plays a crucial role in maintaining the coherence and integrity of the narrative. It ties together the various plotlines, themes, and character arcs, ensuring that the story as a whole is cohesive and satisfying. A well-crafted resolution can enhance the overall quality of the storytelling by providing a sense of unity and purpose.
The resolution in The Shawshank Redemption ties together plotlines and character arcs. Andy escapes prison, exposes the corrupt warden, and reunites with his friend Red in Mexico, providing a cohesive and satisfying end.
The Shawshank Redemption Ending
Reader/Viewer Satisfaction
Ultimately, the resolution aims to satisfy the readers' curiosity and expectations. It offers a sense of fulfillment by delivering a resolution that aligns with the narrative build-up and the readers' investment in the story. A satisfying resolution can leave readers with a sense of closure and contentment, enhancing their overall enjoyment of the storytelling experience. Check out his video by Watch Mojo of the most satisfying endings in cinema.
Top 20 Most Satisfying Movie Endings of All Time
The resolution holds significant importance in storytelling, providing closure, leaving an impact, maintaining narrative coherence, and ensuring reader satisfaction. By carefully crafting this crucial element, writers can elevate their narratives and create a more engaging and memorable experience for their audience.
Resolution Writing Tips
Types of Resolutions in a Story
Obviously, there are many ways a story can end and resolution (or lack there of) is a huge factor. The way a narrative is wrapped up in a film or novel can largely depend on the cinematic or literary traditions of its cultural background. For example, European and American film industries often showcase distinctively different approaches to story resolutions.
This cultural influence plays a significant role in shaping the narrative's final act and can significantly alter the audience's reception and interpretation of the story's conclusion.
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Happy Resolution
A 'Happy Resolution' occurs when the protagonist overcomes their obstacles and achieves their goals. It brings a sense of triumph and fulfillment, leaving the audience satisfied.
The Lion King (1994) is an example of a film with a 'Happy Resolution'. Protagonist Simba overcomes guilt and adversity, defeats his uncle Scar, and becomes the rightful king, leaving audiences satisfied.
The Lion King
Tragic Resolution
In a 'Tragic Resolution,' the protagonist's downfall is inevitable, often due to a fatal flaw. This type of resolution evokes a sense of tragedy and can leave the audience with a profound emotional impact.
An example of a 'Tragic Resolution' can be found in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In this classic tragedy, both Romeo and Juliet die as a result of their own impulsive actions, which is the ultimate tragic ending. Despite their intense love for each other, their families’ longstanding feud leads to their downfall. This resolution leaves the audience feeling intense sadness, showcasing the devastating consequences of family discord and hasty decisions
Bittersweet Resolution
A 'Bittersweet Resolution' combines elements of both happiness and sorrow, providing a more complex emotional payoff. It leaves the audience with mixed feelings, appreciating the triumphs while acknowledging the losses.
The 1967 film The Graduate offers a perfect example of a 'Bittersweet Resolution.' The protagonist, Benjamin Braddock, successfully disrupts the wedding of his love interest, Elaine, to another man and they escape together.
However, as they sit at the back of a bus, their smiles fade into expressions of uncertainty and doubt about the future. While they've managed to be together, they've also alienated themselves from their families and society, leaving viewers with mixed feelings of both happiness and sorrow.
The Graduate • Resolution Example
Ambiguous Resolution
An 'Ambiguous Resolution' is deliberately left open-ended, leaving readers to interpret the story's outcome for themselves. This type of resolution can challenge readers to think critically about the characters and events in the story.
The 2010 film Inception ends with an 'Ambiguous Resolution.' The protagonist, Dom Cobb, spins a top to test if he's in reality or a dream. The film cuts to black before revealing if the top falls or keeps spinning, leaving the audience questioning the reality.
Inception • Ending
Each type of resolution offers a unique narrative experience, contributing to the overall impact of the story on the audience. Whether it's a satisfying resolution that ties up loose ends, a thought-provoking open-ended resolution that leaves room for interpretation, or a bittersweet resolution that evokes a mix of emotions, the choice of resolution shapes the lasting impression of the story.
By carefully crafting the resolution, storytellers have the power to leave a lasting impact on their audience, creating a memorable and immersive narrative journey.
What is Resolution in Story and Narrative?
Components of a Strong Resolution
A well-constructed resolution typically includes three key components: a clear goal, a realistic plan, and a timeline for implementation. By including these elements, individuals stay focused and motivated, increasing their chances of success.
Outcome
The outcome of a story or narrative is a crucial element that unveils the final state of the plot and characters. It serves as the culmination of events, providing resolution, closure, and often insights into the development and fates of the characters involved.
By revealing the outcome, the audience gains a deeper understanding of the story's purpose and the journey undertaken by the characters, making it a pivotal moment in the overall narrative structure. This can be done well with a strong epilogue.
How to End a Movie with an Epilogue • Subscribe on YouTube
Change
A change in a story can be seen as a reflection of the transformation occurring in the characters, setting, or situation. This shift often brings about a sense of intrigue and captivates the reader's imagination, leading them to eagerly anticipate what lies ahead.
The Matrix Ending
Whether it's a sudden twist, a subtle shift, or a dramatic turn, these changes add depth and complexity to the narrative, making it all the more engaging and memorable.
Impact
The impact of the story is crucial as it reveals the profound effects of the events on the characters and their world. This provides a deeper understanding of the story's underlying themes and messages, allowing readers to make meaningful connections and contemplate the broader implications.
The resolution of a story is crucial, providing closure, coherence, and a lasting impact on the audience's perception. A strong resolution can be the most important part of a narrative providing a satisfying experience for an audience or reader. Triumphant, tragic, bittersweet, or ambiguous resolutions resonate, lingering in our minds long after the story ends.
Up Next
What is Denouement?
Analyzing resolutions allows us to learn how conflicts are tied up and narrative loose ends are resolved. Now, let's now explore a term that often goes hand-in-hand with resolution — denouement.
