Assessment Task 1 – Short Story Reflection
When I was set with the task of writing an 800 word short story I knew that I wanted to it be from the perspective on a single character using an inner monologue as a way of showcasing their mental turmoil. Having just watched a section of James Whale’s Frankenstein (1931), the concept of a scientist undertaking tests outside of the law sprang to mind. As we discussed in class, based on the Manovich reading ‘The Database’, film as developed throughout history and certain tropes have been established. The trope of the ‘mad scientist’ is recognisable to most audiences because of its continued use in stories of all mediums which allowed me to create a character that played off these tropes.
My short story is a of character piece as a man tries to stand by his principles in the face of unwavering evidence and opposition. I drew inspiration of this trait from The Substance of Story (McKee, Robert, 2007, pg. 138) in which it is stated that “fascinating characters tend to have not only a conscious but an unconscious desire. Although these complex protagonists are unaware of their subconscious need, the audience senses it, perceiving in them an inner contradiction.” Everett Irving is convinced he is what is right with the world, that the acts he has committed are for the benefit of humankind, yet as he grows to anger in the face of the charges against him, the audience can sense he is battling against himself. Having his death be such an omnipresent figure through the use of the church bell counting down his life, the rising fear ensures the lies he uses to justify the murders he has committed will crumble.
The 800 word limit was actually not a challenge to achieve as I structured the story around the bell tolls to create a framework to limit the word count. I felt as if my first draft rushed towards the end in terms of Irving’s revelation about his guilt but as I was editing I realised that it worked for his character, the unconscious need to suppress his guilt finally arrives in his last moments, befitting a character whose whole life revolved around justifying his existence.
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