Obsession with Redemption

Redemption arcs are powerful storytelling devices that are commonly used in novel writing, appealing to the idea that redemption is impossible for no one. The writing device dates back to Greek mythology and old folklore to modern literature. Redemption arcs focus on the journey of a character from wrongdoing to a positive metamorphosis.Turning a villain to a hero is a very popular trope in many book series and western animation. However, the process and “eligibility” of a character’s redemption is complicated. 

Character transformations in redemption arcs reflect on the prevalent idea that no human is perfect. Reading characters who have faced negative circumstances, done horrible things, been objectively “bad,” learn to correct the errors of their ways with genuine effort provides hope. Redemption stories illustrate the struggle with moral failure, evoking sympathy from readers who identify with mistakes. Witnessing characters work to make amends, inspire readers that though they are imperfect, they can also strive to be better.

In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, the protagonist Ebenzer Scrooge is introduced as a cold-hearted miser who despises Christmas. His lack of desire to help others celebrate Christmas is evident when he says, “I don’t make merry myself at Christmas, and I can’t afford to make idle people merry”(Dickens). His insistence that he “can’t afford” to make others merry demonstrates his insensitive nature. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his dead business partner Jacob Marley, who tells him that the only way to save himself from his greed is to listen to messages of three ghosts that will visit him: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Future. With the help of the Ghost of Christmas Past, past recalled memories reveal Scrooge’s childhood Christmas that was filled with imagination and fun and how Scrooge’s fiance split from him due Scrooge only caring about money. The Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to the city streets where he shows Scrooge the Christmas dinners of the poor being cooked in a local bakery and the run-down houses of the poor. Scrooge’s attitude starts to change as he witnesses the struggles of the young poor children. The Ghost of Christmas Future gives Scrooge visions of lying dead in a bedchamber at a cheap funeral, revealing his death. The Ghost reveals to Scrooge the consequences of his greed, lack of sympathy for the poor and his ill-treatment of his employees. Scrooge promises to change his ways, accepting his final chance at redemption. His story demonstrates that even the most flawed individuals can be redeemed when they acknowledge their past mistakes, understand the struggle of others, and choose to act differently.

Though redemption arcs are one of the most commonly used tropes in literature, there is a lot of difficulty in writing a “good” redemption arc. The main reason is due to differing views on morality and differing definitions of “redemption.” Writers need to decide what is going to be considered as redemption in the context of their story. They need to consider if doing good deeds outweigh the character’s bad deeds and develop the character’s internal change. It ultimately falls on the writer to convince the readers that something or someone is morally forgivable. With the many differing opinions on the definition of a redemption arc, achieving a well developed character transformation leads to many conflicts regarding the weight of moral actions versus internal change. Redemption arcs can follow a variety of patterns. Brady K. Jones (2017) details that redemptive stories involve two shifts that are believed to be the result of reflection and reevaluation that have taken place over time. The first shift is emotional with the tone of the narrative moving from negative to positive and the second shift being cognitive. The author provides reasoning around the negative experience a character may have to explain how what was once a weakness has become a strength. The cognitive process of incorporating the concept of personal growth in redemption arcs includes the author analyzing the events and reaching conclusions, as well as the intentions of the individuals involved. These various measures suggest that developing both emotional and moral transformations in a redemptive story are difficult to write. 

Redemption narratives involve special challenges in order for a character to achieve redemption. Many of the narratives involve struggles with psychological functioning or trauma which cause many readers witnessing the narrative to feel distress. Those who narrate life story scenes with themes of redemption related to identity formation show improvements in mental health after experiencing health challenges to those who do not. According to Dr. Keith Cox from Northwestern University, those who have made positive meaning of life low points experienced better emotion regulation two years later compared to those who did not (Cox & McAdams 2014). Given the interpersonal nature of storytelling, not telling a redemptive story in a positive light could have serious interpersonal consequences. In “Narratives of Redemption,” Jone discusses that the role of cognitive processes in redemption stories stems from an emotion-driven process suggesting that personal growth following adversity is linked to moral reasoning. 

Redemption arcs in stories are important in displaying stories of positive growth and to our growing understanding of the importance of personal stories in peoples’ lives. Redemptive stories connect the reconstructed past to the perceived present and the anticipated future. Redemptive narratives provide a foundation for approaching hypothetical future challenges that may happen showcasing flawed characters addressing their prior mistakes or failures. 

Citations

Jones, B. K., Destin, M., & McAdams, D. P. (2018). Telling better stories: Competence-building narrative themes increase adolescent persistence and academic achievement. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76, 76–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2017.12.006

Cox,K., &McAdams,D. (2014).Meaning Making during High and Low Point Life Story Episodes 

Predicts Emotion Regulation Two Years Later: How the Past Informs the Future. Journal of Research in Personality.50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2014.03.004

Hidden Gems. (2024, August 16). Why Character Redemption Arcs Matter and How to Write Them - Hidden Gems Book Blog. HiddenGemsBooks. https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/why-character-redemption-arcs-matter/