There are three main types of character arcs: positive, negative and flat/static. This is the first of three blogs that will analyze the three types. First up: Positive arcs. Caution: Spoilers ahead.
Many stories have positive character arcs. They are the classic story form. It’s the good guy gets better, underdog finds a way, or grumpy protagonist does good kind of stories. Think Harry Potter starting out in the cabinet under the stairs only to become a strong wizard who beats Voldemort in his first year at Hogwarts. Or the lead character in Pixar’s Up who starts the movie as a grumpy, grief-ridden man who only wants to escape the world but ends up helping a little boy, a giant bird and a talking dog. Or the brainy janitor in Good Will Hunting who self-sabotages himself until he is confronted with the truth that his past was not his fault and accepts the opportunities before him.
This story form features a character who overcomes a lie, flaw or fear to become a better person. Sometimes the person starts out grumpy, bad, or stuck in a tragic backstory. Sometimes they believe something about themselves that is not true or is skewed by past experiences. Sometimes they are a flawed person who finds a new way to live or ends up leaning more heavily toward good. Other times the story is about someone who’s had it tough and may not be a good guy, but by the end of the story is better than when he began. The point is there is positive movement in the character’s life from the beginning of the story to the end.
In most positive character arcs, protagonists start out believing a lie about themselves or their situation—that they are an orphan who has nothing, or a man who has lost everything and doesn’t care anymore, or a boy who is not worthy of love or success. Through a series of trials, these characters come to the truth of their lives. They see the lie for what it is and are finally released from its hold.
These stories are often known as the “Hero’s Journey” because of their positive trajectories, but it’s better to think about it as a rising character arc. The character starts in a not so great place and ends up someplace better, emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually. It can be subtle or dramatic, just as long as the character is better off than where they began.
Sometimes the character’s backstory lands him in a bad place and presents him with a choice: the moral, righteous path or the one that leads to evil. In this kind of story, he chooses the path of good.
Here are some examples of a positive character arc:
Prince Zuko in the animated show Avatar: The Last Airbender
Prince Zuko begins in a good place, but loses face when he follows his conscience and contradicts his father. His subsequent quest to restore his honor takes him to dark places. It is only through the course of the story that he realizes he is not living up to his own sense of honor. He has people along the way who encourage his dark path (his father, Firelord Ozai, and his sister Azula) and those who urge him to listen to his heart (Uncle Iroh and Katara). In the end, Prince Zuko chooses the right path and ends up in a positive place. His is not an easy journey, which is why his story is so compelling. This series is a wonderful example of great character arcs. It also shows what happens when a character starts out good (Zuko was doing the right thing in the beginning), believes a false truth (that he’d lost his honor), and ultimately chooses to return to his original way of seeing the world (joins Aang to save the world). It’s a classic redemption story.
Vegeta in Dragon Ball Z
Vegeta is the classic cocky/grumpy guy who’s main goal is to be the strongest fighter in the multiverse. He begins the series as a vain, arrogant, power-hungry villain. During the course of the show, he moves from villain to anti-hero to family man. While he never becomes a warm and fuzzy guy like Goku, he ends up fighting on the right side. He is able to put aside his selfish motivations to help Goku and his friends save the world from outside threats. This is a positive character arc, but one that keeps the protagonist true to his character. It is how Vegeta stays true to his personality, despite changing his methods, that makes us love him so much. He’s the ultimate egotistical, sarcastic grump who is good underneath—the likable bad boy.
Scrooge in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Talk about grumpy! This character starts out bad. He’s selfish, greedy, thoughtless, cruel. But through his trials with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, he finds his heart and compassion. It is the classic story of a second chance—the ultimate positive arc story.
Han Solo in Star Wars
This is a milder character arc. Han Solo was never a bad guy, but he did start out greedy and as a smuggler who ducks the law and has shady dealings with questionable folk. His affection for his partner, Chewbacca, redeems him. But it isn’t until he places himself in danger (helping the Rebellion instead of leaving to pay back Jabba) that his arc takes a truly positive turn. From that point, Han is a good guy no matter how scruffy his beginning. He retains his attitude and freewheeling ways, but his heart is revealed as true. His is a much milder version of Vegeta’s arc. He doesn’t start off as bad, but he doesn’t become a watered down version of himself either.
Other examples of positive story lines include:
The Terminator
Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Tramp from Lady and the Tramp
Percy Jackson from Rick Riordan’s series
Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice
Carl Fredricksen (the old man) in Pixar’s Up
In all of these stories, the characters experience a positive turn in their lives. They give up their mission to kill, their evil ways, or carefree and reckless lifestyle. They find the ability to love despite former prejudices and find a way to go from a loser to a hero (or demigod, as the case may be).
The next blog will discuss Negative Arcs.