Writing a good ending is hard. I was thinking about that after a matinee performance of a play that had some great moments, but no real ending. The thing just sputters to a concluding gesture. A character has an emotional outburst. Why? No reason, just that the play is dwindling down. The other characters comment, there's a fancy light change, and that's the audience's cue that 'we're wrapping this baby up. Just sit tight.' We applauded. I left with my friend and said 'you know that wasn't really an ending. He asked me how come so many plays don't have endings? How come so many tv shows start off on fire and then have an awful 2nd season or drift away?
I think not understanding how a good ending works is tied to no understanding how plot drives the narrative. Also, TV viewing has something to do with it. TV drama is serial. Our minds are so adjusted to narratives continuing on and -if it's really good- a spin-off series. We have gotten used to never experiencing catharsis. Most of the stuff just drifts away.
But on a deeper level, I don't think we write good endings in America b/c most ppl don't really think about the endings to their own personal narratives. Most ppl don't think about retirement or death or what they ideally want to happen at the end of their journey...the ultimate character arc. We are a youth culture so we're about big beginnings, comebacks, rising to fame. The goal is to 'get money' or 'get famous' and then continue to get more. There's no ending to 'get materials' except 'now go get some more.' So we just engage in an endless series of chases and believe that this is life. To be chased or to chase something/someone.
Writing wills are depressing. Old bodies are depressing. Not being in peak condition is depressing. So most people don't write wills or think about the end. We infantilize ourselves and then look for Instagram validation. Personal catharsis is impossible or seemingly abstract and... Zen. That's so Zen...which is code for 'that's calm and a bit depressing. I'm going to put this label on it so I don't really have to think about it. Zen. There. Ommmm....'
But what happened if we taught our children to think about how they want their journey on this planet to end? Maybe they would be more purposeful. Maybe it wouldn't be depressing but freeing. Maybe we would tell better stories and live better narratives.
I think not understanding how a good ending works is tied to no understanding how plot drives the narrative. Also, TV viewing has something to do with it. TV drama is serial. Our minds are so adjusted to narratives continuing on and -if it's really good- a spin-off series. We have gotten used to never experiencing catharsis. Most of the stuff just drifts away.
But on a deeper level, I don't think we write good endings in America b/c most ppl don't really think about the endings to their own personal narratives. Most ppl don't think about retirement or death or what they ideally want to happen at the end of their journey...the ultimate character arc. We are a youth culture so we're about big beginnings, comebacks, rising to fame. The goal is to 'get money' or 'get famous' and then continue to get more. There's no ending to 'get materials' except 'now go get some more.' So we just engage in an endless series of chases and believe that this is life. To be chased or to chase something/someone.
Writing wills are depressing. Old bodies are depressing. Not being in peak condition is depressing. So most people don't write wills or think about the end. We infantilize ourselves and then look for Instagram validation. Personal catharsis is impossible or seemingly abstract and... Zen. That's so Zen...which is code for 'that's calm and a bit depressing. I'm going to put this label on it so I don't really have to think about it. Zen. There. Ommmm....'
But what happened if we taught our children to think about how they want their journey on this planet to end? Maybe they would be more purposeful. Maybe it wouldn't be depressing but freeing. Maybe we would tell better stories and live better narratives.
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