Happily Ever Afters

For my last blog post, I'd like to talk about endings. If there is one thing that we are sure of in life, it is that all things must come to an end. Whether it has been around for eons or seconds, it will eventually cease to exist. For some, this is a hard truth to accept. Regardless of how this pill is swallowed though, it is the actual ending that I'm concerned with right now. More specifically, with the ending of stories.

So you're reading a book. It's a book of adventure, and thrill, and danger, and war. The protagonist of the story faces an uphill battle. As you read this book, this protagonist, miraculously continues to beat the odds. They continue to be victorious regardless of all the challenges they face. And then you get to the end. You see that all the "good people" have won, while all the "bad people" have been defeated.

This aggravates me greatly. By having a perfect end, the story's plausibility has decreased immensely. What are the odds of every single one of those people surviving throughout that entire battle? Or of that man and woman riding off into the sunset? If a woman left you, you would not write her a letter every single day for a year, and then proceed to build her a house!

I understand that stories are not supposed to be like real life, because they are supposed to be entertaining. We read, watch, and listen to stories because our lives are not entertaining. Without this extravagance, they would lose their appeal. But to me, what gives them an appeal is their legitimacy. By being realistic, I can buy into the story more, which, to me, makes it a lot better.

I'd rather sob over a book because one of my favourite characters didn't have a good ending, than have a sense of joy spoiled by ridiculousness. At least the one makes me feel something genuine.

So please, although we all strive for happiness and victory, fictitiously, try to make your triumphs realistic.

Thank you kindly!