Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Tuesday Tropes: The Meaningful Echo


Without dialogue, characters would have a hard time speaking to each other, but what happens when a seemingly unimportant line is repeated later in the story? All of a sudden, it has a deeper meaning ...


The Meaningful Echo - A line of dialogue that is repeated later on in the story, often used to give more impact to an ordinary line. Some heartwarming, emotional, or awesomeness typically ensues when executed well.

Did you know this trope has made its way into just about everything, and yet it never gets old? Typically a villain will say it first, repeated by the hero when he's about to win the day. That's almost cliché, these days.


This can also be a great trope to use if it is your intention to make your audience cry. Just be mindful of the cheese factory you may inadvertently open.


*Reaches for a tissue*

And if you are a fan of Christopher Nolan films, you'll know that he uses this trope to the extreme, often by repeating multiple lines within the same movie. They're used so effectively, however, it works every time!


This repeated line can be said by the same person or by someone else, but the context works best when the speaker of the original line is present, or it becomes an inside reference that the audience knows, while other characters go, "what's that supposed to mean?"

I admit this trope has found its way into a lot of my writings, but not to the extreme, and only when it works. Do this well and you'll turn a bland line into one that will be remembered long after the story is over.

What are some of your favorite Meaningful Echoes you've heard? Ever played with this trope yourself?

I'm David, and I'm David ... Didn't I just say that? ...

34 comments:

  1. Do you know, I've never given this much thought, but now you mention it, I know exactly where you're coming from...

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  2. I thought of another one in LOTR! When Gandalf tells Frodo "all we have to do is decide..." and it echoes again right before that scene where he decides to jump in the boat. Seems like Peter Jackson is a big fan of the meaningful echo!

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  3. I love this troupe. Do you think it loses its impact if you use it more than twice...like 4-5 times :) I did that in the first drafts of my MS. Thankfully my CPs found it.

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  4. Great post. I love the MEANINGFUL echo, but I hate HATE the contrived echo. As in, "I'll do it," she said. "I'll do it." I feel like it's an author trying to imbue a line with more drama than it actually has, and it bugs me so much.

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  5. I admit, I've used this one a few times. Probably more in my first book than anywhere else, but I've used it in the last one as well.

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  6. I agree. When used well and with proper awareness of cheese-potential, this trope can effectively add impact and emotion. I think I used it in my current WiP, but my mind is so boggled by different revisions right now that I can't remember where...

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  7. Batman might get away with it, but SPIDERMAN has GOT TO STOP.
    With great power comes...the responsibility to know when to end the trope.

    Of course, used sparingly, it's a great tactic.

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  8. I always found there is a certain magic in using them just so. ;) Great post.

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  9. The meaningful echo is right up there with the times they use the title of the film at the climax.

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  10. I have an echo in my WIP -- a line said by two star-crossed lovers on separate occasions to my MC. It's supposed to be a clue to the reader that those two are meant to be each other and that the MC is NOT going to "get the girl."

    The MC remains clueless, however. He misses it.

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  11. sigh. "are meant to be together"

    I blame the sunlight glaring on my laptop.

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  12. Where did you get the widget for your "Projects in Progress"? That would come in handy for my blog considering how many writing projects I have!

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    1. I use the word meter found on critiquecircle.com - it's a great way to keep track of your stuff and motivates you to make the bar grow. :)

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  13. You know, I'm starting to think I have no clue about this writing stuff. I just put words together to tell a story. I don't seem to plan a whole lot. I guess that's why I didn't know what tropes were before I started reading your blog. I wonder if I should be worried about my skills...

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    1. I'm totally learning along as I go, too. I'll watch or read something, ask if it's a trope, and sure enough ... :)

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  14. I have used the meaningful echo (hopefully in a meaningful way)in my WIP. My MC's father keeps asking her the same question over and over again throughout the story. I'm not sure why I chose to do this. It just sort of happened.

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  15. LOL :)

    Honestly, I don't play as much with this as I should, but I do like to play with it in my stories. I think it really adds to the sense of foreshadowing. That, and I like cliche and cheesy.

    Great pics, by the way! I love the LOTR one. :)

    Best of luck with writing,

    Alexandra~

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  16. Do you make this stuff up? It's good...and I like it. But, I can't help but think, "David is making this sh*t up!" So clever.

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    1. I watch for them, and if I think I found one, I use TvTropes.com to make sure it's legit. Funny how the names turn out different than I imagine. :)

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  17. I've used this trope a few times, though I always fear it will seem too obviously planted or come across as cliched. I've come across instances where repeated lines have seemed that way.

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  18. You know... I don't think I have used this... but it really is powerful. Something to take note of for the next MS. Or... the rewrite ;)

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  19. I haven't used this yet - but it can be so powerful ... when done well :)

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  20. Wow, thanks for pointing this out! I've never really thought about it, but I can see how it is very effective. The trick is getting it effective and not cheesy, I imagine.

    Allison (Geek Banter)

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  21. I haven't really tried in my books. Quoting movie lines is huge around my house and my kids do it all the time.
    It is one of the reasons I love to watch my favorite movies over and over again, so I can catch all those things.

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  22. I love the moment the initial instance and the echo clicks. :)

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  23. I have used it, but sparingly. I think there is a fine line to be observed with it.

    I enjoyed the examples you used, David. :-)

    Sia McKye OVER COFFEE

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  24. It is pretty cool when this trope is used effectively. I don't know if I'd call it my favourite every time someone asks, but the first one that always springs to mind for me is from the film Moulin Rouge. "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and to be loved in return."

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  25. This really is brilliant and completely not something I have ever really thought about. Pondering...

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  26. It really is an effective trope. I've been reading a Wrinkle in Time to my kids, and just reread a line like that. "Meg, why must you always be so belligerent and uncooperative?" First said by her principal, and then by Charles Wallace after he succumbs to the man with the red eyes. Cool.

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  27. I'm dying! I love that first picture, and yes I've used the echo before. I thought it was just 'cause I wasn't creative enough to rephrase it. Maybe I was being more clever than I thought!

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  28. "Didn't you say that like 2 hours ago?" LOVE IT! As always, thanks for terrific Tuesday tropes--even if it is Friday before I get to them.

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