Wise Women Discuss—Plot!

The 36 Tragic Situations

Though women have been starved of creative opportunities over the centuries of patriarchal bullying, they have proved in one important field that they are not creatively inferior to men—in writing. Adelphiasophists are keen that all people should be creative and that their efforts should be appreciated. If you have been intending to start that novel or screenplay but felt short of ideas, here is the Wise Women's synopsis of plot to give you a few ideas. May the Goddess inspire you. Saviour Shirlie.


28. Conflict with a God

The most ancient of plots. From it could spring nearly all the other situations. It is the supreme folly; it allows of the ultimate of ambitions, the most audacious enterprises, elaborate conspiracies, outlandish abductions, the most intriguing enigmas, burning passions and prodigious rivalries. Other participants might sympathise with one they should hate, or punish him for his crime, sacrifice him to his faith or sacrifice themselves for him. Kinfolk will be divided over the issue. The disaster will break leaving the mortal crushed before those he loves or, worse, dishonored or massacred them in a blind delerium. Suppliants might seek the lost loved one or seek mercy on his behalf but the god's vengeance is unmittigated. The god can be a demon of course. Today this grouping has been ignored.

In modern drama and narrative, the god would normally be metaphorically a god, a mogul or superstar when the story has many aspects, verging into Rivalry of Inferior and Superior.

Elements
  1. A mortal
  2. An immortal
Themes
  1. Controversy or struggle with
  2. Defying or rivaling a god
  3. Punishment for