Jane Eyre
Structure:
Entertainment:
Surprisingly compelling story of a woman who finally follows her heart (MC Resolve - Change), transforming herself (Story Outcome - Success) and finding the love she has always longed for (Story Judgment - Good). The story locks in once Impact Character Rochester – a grumpy man and a force of nature (IC Domain - Fixed Attitude) – hires the governess to watch over his daughter. The story vibrates around the pain people encounter doing what they believe they are supposed to do (OS Issue - Obligation) made evident in the decision to send Jane away and the decision for her to leave dear Rochester (Story Driver - Decision). Her preference for taking action first (MC Approach - Do-er) – hitting the schoolteacher back and attacking her brother – narrows down the places she can actually go and live her life (Story Limit - Optionlock).
While her focus on maintaining balance within the relationships around her makes it difficult for Male audience members to fully relate with her plight (MC Problem-Solving Style - Holistic), doing what is sensible (OS Problem - Logic) and manipulating oneself for society (OS Domain - Psychology) does not. While the Overall Story may add to the difficulty in attracting a Male audience, the choices she makes (MC Issue - Choice), Rochester’s unrealistic notions (IC Issue - Dream) and the battle over whether or not she is a possession (Relationship Story Concern - Obtaining) strengthens the structure and maintains the interest.
All in all, a wonderfully complete story worthy of study.
Change, Start, Do-er, Female, Decision, Optionlock, Success, Good, Psychology, Becoming, Obligation, Logic
Note:
Wondering what these strangely intriguing terms (MC Issue, Story Goal) are all about? They are concepts covered by Dramatica -- a theory that sees story as an analogy to human psychology. Combined together they create what is known as a storyform: essentially, a structural skeleton of thematic dynamics and story points that communicate the meaning of the work in question.