What is plot armor?
Plot Armor
Plot armor, also known as narrative shielding, is a literary device where a fictional character is protected from serious harm or death by the needs of the plot, regardless of whether it logically makes sense within the story's internal consistency. In essence, the character survives situations where they realistically should have died or suffered significant consequences, because their survival is deemed necessary for the storyline to progress as intended by the author.
Key Characteristics:
- Circumventing Logic: <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Circumventing%20Logic">Circumventing Logic</a> The character's survival defies reasonable explanations based on the established rules and laws of the fictional world.
- Implausibility: <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Implausibility">Implausibility</a> The events leading to the character's survival are highly improbable or statistically unlikely.
- Plot Necessity: <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Plot%20Necessity">Plot Necessity</a> The character's continued existence is crucial for the plot's progression, resolution, or thematic elements.
- Audience Awareness: While not always explicitly stated, the audience often recognizes plot armor when it occurs, leading to a sense of disbelief or frustration.
Potential Drawbacks:
- Suspension of Disbelief: Overuse of plot armor can weaken the audience's suspension of disbelief, making the story feel less engaging and authentic.
- Character Development: It can hinder character development by preventing the character from facing the full consequences of their actions or learning from their mistakes.
- Stakes: It lowers the stakes of the narrative. If the audience knows a character is protected, they are less likely to be invested in their struggles.
Examples:
Plot armor can manifest in various ways, such as a character surviving:
- An impossible fall
- A direct hit from a powerful weapon
- Being surrounded by overwhelming odds
- A deadly disease or injury