![]() The opposite of a eucatastrophe is a dyscatastrophe, where an unexpected turn of events result in defeat instead of victory. So Gollum can’t be a deus ex machina because a path was laid out for his actions. The only thing left to do is pull the trigger and make it happen (which we know Tolkien did). In this regard, the gun has been loaded, ready to aim at a possible resolution (although it’s so unobvious that it surprises us when it happens). If he had consented to Gollum’s death, there wouldn’t have been an unlikely antagonist trying to steal back the ring. Then there’s Frodo’s act of mercy to Gollum. In fact, it would have been out of character for Gollum not to try stealing the ring. People argue that Gollum is a deus ex machina, but his obsession with the ring was already established long before they arrived at Mount Doom. While gloating, he accidentally falls into the volcano, destroying the ring. But Gollum suddenly appears and steals the ring. Frodo is about to throw the One Ring in the Pits of Doom, but suddenly succumbs to its evil. Unlike the deus ex machina, a eucatastrophe can be foreshadowed and even integrated into a character’s development.Ī prominent example of this is seen in The Lord of the Rings‘ conclusion. ![]() It’s an integral part of Tolkien’s mythopoeia (artificial mythology). It means “good destruction,” and describes a sudden turn of events that change catastrophe into victory. Definition of EucatastropheĮucatastrophe was coined by one of fantasy’s granddaddies, J.R.R Tolkien. It’s as if a god entered the story just to end it, even though the said god was never hinted at throughout the story.įollowing these descriptions, a eucatastrophe can be a deus ex machina, but a deus ex machina cannot be a eucatastrophe. The unexpected ending has no connection with the larger narrative. In contrast, a deus ex machina is a seemingly forced resolution. Although it’s unexpected, it still fits into the narrative by way of foreshadowing or character development. Deus Ex MachinaĪ eucatastrophe is any sudden, positive change that may lead a story to a happy ending. It may seem like I’m splitting hairs here, but trust me, there is a fundamental difference that separates the two. Both are plot devices used to indicate a turn of events that is beneficial to your protagonist and leads to a happy ending. There is often confusion when defining what eucatastrophe and deus ex machina are.
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