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Chekhov's Gun

 

Disciplines > StorytellingStory Devices > Chekhov's Gun

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

 

Description

'Chekhov's Gun' is a device whereby something is introduced early in the story, but its significance does not become clear until later.

Example

The hero is given a mysterious jewel. Later, it is found to fit into a forehead receptacle to bring to life a statue which will answer critical questions.

A murder victim has a small needle puncture on her arm. Later, she turns out to have had a date with a drug addict whose needle scratched her, making her drowsy.

Discussion

The name comes from Russian playwright Anton Chekov (1860-1904), who said that one should not have a gun on display in a play unless it will at some time be used in the plot. The basic principle is one of economy: that everything that appears should have significance.

This can have two effects on an audience. If the device is noticed, then it keeps them guessing. If the device is not noticed, then they are surprised when it is used.

Chekhov's gun is a kind of reverse MacGuffin in its early insignificance and later significance.

See also

Red Herring, MacGuffin

 

 

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Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

 

 

Please help and share:

 

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

+ Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

About
Guest Articles
Blog!
Books
Changes
Contact
Guestbook
Quotes
Students
Webmasters

 

| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links |

© Changing Works 2002-
Massive Content — Maximum Speed