Fictional reliefs and reality checks

Bibliographic Data

ID10494649
AuthorsMargrethe Bruun Vaage (0000-0001-7608-0025, corresponding author)
Year2013
Volume54
Issue2
Pages218-237
Publication date2013-06-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueScreen (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0036-9543 • E-ISSN: 1460-2474
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/screen/hjt004
OpenAlexW2159905648
LanguageEN
Citations received12

The present paper explores the moral psychology of fiction conceptually through the paired concepts ‘fictional relief’ and ‘reality check’. I suggest that the spectator of fictional films and television series sees himself as relieved from some of the moral obligations the spectator of nonfiction films sees himself as subject to, such as considering the consequences of a character's actions and attitudes. A fictional attitude is disturbed when elements of nonfiction are inserted into the fiction, such as the documentary photographs in Dogville (Lars von Trier, 2003), or when the fiction otherwise reminds the spectator of the moral and political consequences of his engagement. I call this reality check, and explore how Dr Melfi often reminds the spectator of The Sopranos (HBO, 1999–2007) of the consequences of having a sympathetic attitude towards the main character and gangster Tony Soprano. The related notion fictional relief captures the relief from considering such consequences, and finally I discuss how Omar Little exemplifies fictional reliefs at work in a socially realistic setting in The Wire (HBO, 2002–08)

Art · Art history · Artistic and Creative Research · Narrative Theory and Analysis

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