Change+in+Direction


 * Matt Zuber and Bryan Heltemes**

__**Change in Direction**__

Definition: Change in direction refers to a point where the author creates a shift in plot, storyline or focus. Change in direction can be similarly related to plot change in many cases. An author can create changes in direction that occur slowly or almost instantaneously. Either way, changes in direction attract attention because they can change the perspective of a piece or the events that are occurring in the piece. Changes in direction have a profound impact on readers, because they have the ability to reshape a piece and often can create a sharp change in a reader's mood.

__Examples from //The Plot Against America//__

Example 1: “What made the death of Walter Winchell worthy of instantaneous nationwide coverage…” (Page 272). Although taken out of context this sentence does not seem like a large change in the direction of the story’s events, it is a sharp, sudden change. If one refers to page 272, it can be seen that this sentence appears out of nowhere, to start a paragraph. This event was completely unexpected and the author completely averts the mood of a reader.

Example 2: “And where did this leave Sandy? Because he was himself so busy, he seemed at first not to notice my breakneck transformation into personal valet to a decorated Canadian war hero who’d now gone ahead and decorated me; and when he did – and was made miserable at first not so much because of Alvin’s involvement with me, which was bound to follow from our new sleeping arrangement, but because of his hostile indifference Alvin evinced towards him- it was too late to oust me from the great supporting role (with its nauseating duties) that I’d virtually been forced to undertake and that, to Sandy’s surprise, had elicited such sublime recognition in the waning years of my long career as his little brother.” (Page 146). Despite the excessive length of this quote, the majority of its content is necessary in displaying the change in direction that the author is providing. As Roth explicitly describes, the main character Philip is growing apart from his older brother Sandy, to whom he as always been closely tied to. The author shows how the responsibility of caring for Alvin is providing Philip with the means to deviate from Sandy’s side and toward Alvin’s. This provides a major break between two dynamic and important characters in the story. This is a prime example of change in direction because it not only progresses the main character’s thoughts and feelings but also helps the reader to gain an understanding of where the author intends the characters to go, in terms of dynamic growth.

__Other Examples

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In this clip from "Scrubs", the man, JD, takes a road trip to surprise the woman, Kim, that is carrying his baby. In a good mood, and eager to hear about the baby, JD is stunned by the news that Kim had a miscarriage and that she got a permanent job far away from him. Even though it turned out Kim was lying about the miscarriage, this sudden change in direction changed the mood from happy and excited to shocked and stunned. This instantaneous shock changed the plot for the rest of the show as JD would have a child and he would probably end up moving to be closer to his family. This example of change in direction can be seen in many movies, shows, and advertisements, as well as in real life. When things seem to be going good in your life, your relative dies or you find out your friend lied to you about something significant. The places where changes in direction are the most abundant are the movies and television shows. In movies, the plot usually leads to at least one dramatic change in direction where the mood usually changes from happy to sad or angry or vice versa. In the movie "Gladiatior", the main character is about to get his freedom from slavery when his escape is foiled by Roman officials. Although many times change in direction affects mood and tone, it can many times lead towards shifts in stories and/or problems that need solutions. In the show "That 70's Show", plot changes affect relationships between a group of friends and don't always have to be sudden. A series of events can cause an eventual change in direction that takes longer to develop but can still have the same effect as an instantaneous change in direction.