List of value changes/opposites? ("charges")

Randall_Oelerich

Randall_Oelerich

Veteran
Anybody have a list of value changes/opposites (what McKee calls charges) to share here by a link or attachment, or know of a url site that has such a list? E.g. slavery/freedom, self-doubt/self-confidence, love/hate, revenge/forgiveness, etc. McKee talks about every scene having such a change, more so at the end of a scene sequence. I would like to locate or compile such a list.
 
I still don't get what you're after. Why do you want a "list" like this? What will you use it for?

It just seems like you're going after something definitive, like the "Four Conflicts," but I don't think this is something where you can do that. You could probably come up with an infinite number of opposites. How does listing them help your purposes?
 
Both as a checklist for written scenes (much the same as checking that each scene has conflict), or to help when crafting new scenes. Each scene should begin with one charge (value), end with an opposite charge (value). Unless the scene is written purely for exposition; but in such a case my understanding is a talented writer will better weave the exposition into other scenes. All of this is according to the advice of McKee's book Story.

David Jimerson said:
But how would you use it?
Click to expand...
 
But I don't get what a list of specific opposites would do for you, especially considering it would be pretty lengthy. If you refer to it, what are you looking for?

If you want to go from one charge to another in each scene, you can do that without having to refer to a list.
 
Randall, because you're not saying what you're going to do with this list other than "refer to it," especially when you say you're going to use it as a "crutch," my guess is this . . .

You're going to come to a scene, look at your list, pick a value change, and write the scene according to that value change. And I have to say, that's not a good way to go. You'd be arbitrarily choosing a value change and then shoehorning your characters into it, rather than letting it flow naturally from your characters.

Rather, the charges should make themselves known as you create the story. If you know your characters, and you know them well, you'll know how they'll react to each other and to the dramatic action you bring into the story. If you try to make them go from one value to another artificially, just choosing from some list, it won't come across as credible. Or it might, but if it does, it'll be because it just happened that way. And that won't really be a good way to craft a coherent story.

Just some thoughts.
 
Yeah I am not exactly sure how I would use such a list. Maybe I will not. Or it might help me think of ways to mold a scene. Or not. Might just help me be aware of the importance of a change in value in a scene. You make good points though David, thank you.
:beer: randall
 
You can think of value charges in a more nuanced way than just positive or negative.

Some examples:

Cowardice > Caution > Bravery > Recklessness
Weakness > Gentleness > Strength > Roughness
Flexibility > Steadfastness > Stubbornness >
Meanness > Prudence > Generosity > Extravagance
Overly Secretive > Discretion > Openness > Big Mouth
Curiosity > Nosiness
Mistrust > Doubt > Trust > Gullibility
Inferiority > Humbleness > Majesty > Arrogance
Reverence > Audacity > Disrespect
Patience > Spontaneity > Rashness
Frivolity > Playfulness > Seriousness
Obedience > Defiance > Disobedience
Giving Leeway > Authority
Disloyalty > Impartiality > Loyalty > Favoritism
Knowing when to quit > Perseverance
Intolerance > Endurance > Putting up with too Much
Spontaneity > Preparation
Incompleteness > Simplicity > Completeness > Over-Complexity
Worry > Concern > Contentment > Complacency
 
Nice list! Thank you for typing it out Soloman. I am going to put it in a growing list. Good point about the more gradual variation of values.
 
Randall--

Pages 7 & 81 of the Story Elements Manual. A table and Long list of Virtues and Vices, respectively.
 
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