Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Tuesday Tropes: MacGuffins

 

Do you know of any stories with special objects? Maybe this special object is being pursued by every character in the story? I have, and lots of them are quite shiny!

MacGuffin - A plot-driving element or item that serves no further purpose than to move the story along.

We can all thank this man for coining the phrase.

A good example is a good old-fashioned treasure hunt. Gold, jewels, Unobtainium, it doesn't matter. Everyone is trying to get it. The treasure could be anything and it would still be the same story every time.

Sometimes, it is never explained.

Chris: "Thanks for the watch!"
Jane: "What watch?"

Sometimes, we don't get to see what it is.

"I wonder what's in that package I never opened ..."

Some are willing to risk their lives (and die) for it.



And oftentimes, no one is ever meant to obtain it.



This trope is quite common. Since many stories are object driven (a real aspect of the human existence), there is no sign of slowing down for this storytelling tactic. If used right, it can even enhance your story.

Deathly Hallows, anyone?
(Minus the plot-infused wand)

Have I used a MacGuffin? Three times, actually, but I enjoyed how different each one turned out. One of them will make reappearances in future novels, if needed.

Have you used a MacGuffin? What MacGuffin's can you identify in movies/books you've looked at recently?

Don't forget to check out (and maybe sign up for) this blogfest! Click back tomorrow for my contribution.

I'm David, and have you seen my left socks?


30 comments:

  1. Those are awesome examples. But now all I can think of are the Indiana Jones movies. ;)

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  2. "Transformers" and "Ronin" are two other movies that are good examples of the MacGuffin. I'm sure I've probably used a MacGuffin at some point, though right now I don't really remember.

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  3. MacGuffins seem to be everywhere. I don't mind them when they're done well. I haven't used one myself, but I have no doubt I will in future stories.

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  4. This is good one! I'm totally going to think about using this now :)

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  5. I haven't used one yet either. So far my stories are more focused on everyone trying to find a solution. And the latest movie? Watched the fourth Pirates movie the other day and everyone was after the fountain of youth.

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  6. I love having stuff like this in movies and books. You picked out some of my faves too! Good ol' Indiana Jones! Man, I haven't watched him in forever. Might have to pull out those movies tonight. :)
    Great post today!

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  7. I use a macguffin in my sequel. Your post today reminds me of a similar one that I read on Matthew MacNish's blog a few months back. Great writers think alike!

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  8. I've never known the official term for such an object, and this post definitely opened up more possibilities of what it can be. I have a Macguffin in my story right now.

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  9. Now you've got me thinking about the Lord of the Rings. I think an object can personify a central character's quest quite well and it tells you a lot about a person in a relatively short period of time.

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  10. My current WIP uses a Macguffin for sure. It's an object of desire, glory, and power. But in the end, it's nothing more than an old, rotten relic.

    For me the object represents the innocence and idealism of my protagonist in the beginning of the story, and at the end - the object is broken and useless, much like how my main character feels.

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  11. Okay, so I admit that the first fantasy story I wrote used this trope. Now I'm thinking of other stories I've seen this as well.

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  12. My next YA will have a major Macguffin! I love stories with these special objects. Gives everyone the motivation they need, reveals true characters, and advances the plot. Best plot devices ever!

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  13. I had no idea about Macguffen's. Funny name.

    PS I fed all of your left socks to the dragon in my closet.

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  14. Funny post, David! I like the pix. Yeah, editors complain about them, but they're used all of time anyway. If an author can work it in seamlessly, why not? I'm looking for pesky MacGuffins all of the time! In other words, my car and house keys.

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  15. Hmm, I know at least one of my sequels has what I suppose is a MacGuffin. Five of 'em. Or are they considered plot coupons when there's more than one? I forget.

    As for books with them in ... David Eddings was quite fond of them. The Elenium Trilogy and the Belgariad Series are both about trying to find a blue stone. Behelliom and the Orb of Aldur, respectively. (Is it sad that I can spell all that without reaching for a reference?)
    Despite that, they're still quite different stories. Which I suppose comes down to the characters and their needs.

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  16. Great examples. I love saying that word too: MacGuffin. Heh. I've never used one before but I want to find some way to work that word into my next story!

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  17. You must have all my husband's right socks! Anyway, no. No MacGuffin's round these parts. I have never thought of an object. Oh wait, I lie. I did in my first book that will never see the light of day.

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  18. I have used one, actually! I'm with Christine Rains, MacGuffin--that's fun to say!

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  19. Thought about Lord of The Rings and David Edding's books the minute read what MacGuffin means.
    Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising Sequence has things of power.
    With movies I can only think Indiana Jones.

    I've probably created several stories with MacGuffins, but I can remember only a few.

    Oh and I haven't seen your left sock, but I have your left shoe.

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  20. I've never heard of a MacGuffin before, but thinking about it now, my current project has one of these. In fact you've got me thinking now. Always a bad idea.

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  21. LOTR immediately came to mind. I tried using a MacGuffin of sorts, but ended up cutting it out of the story later.

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  22. Fun post!

    And I just saw IMMORTALS which had a MacGuffin!

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  23. Love it. I never knew that's what it was called. Now I do. Always entertaining, David.
    Thanks. :)

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  24. Hmm...This is one of those things that I never would have noticed as a tool until it was pointed out by a higher being. Would you consider the One Ring such a device, or is that a character unto itself?

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  25. I had no idea that there was a word for objects used in stories :O I learn something new everyday. Thanks David!

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  27. Another knowledge puff goes into my box...thanks..I think The Bicentennial Man also represents the quest for such an object ...the ability to become human, and most sci-fi and fantasy books seem to have one such element...mine is mostly realistic fiction. Even the Cern experiment is a real life quest for the "god particle" right...

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  28. I haven't ever used one (at least that I can think of), but I just love the word McGuffin. I mean, it's just funny sounding. (Random, I know...)

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  29. First, you referenced SOMEWHERE IN TIME so we're good for life.

    What about the briefcase in PULP FICTION?

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