As a final thought in this brief introduction to Subjective Characters, the "leap of faith" story is not the only kind that occurs. Equally reflective of our own mind's processes is the slow change or non-leap of faith story. The Main Character gradually shifts his perspective until, by the end of the story, he has already adopted the alternative paradigm with little or no fanfare (for example, Hamlet in Shakespeare's Hamlet).

Usually, in such stories, a particular dramatic scenario occurs near the beginning of the story and repeats (in some similar manner) near the end. The Main Character reacted one way in the first scenario and the audience gets a chance to see if he responds the same way again or not. In the Slow Change story, the Main Character may never even realize he has changed. We, the audience, are able to evaluate the worth of the journey the Main Character has been through by seeing whether the Main Character has been changed and whether that is for better or worse.

In our current Western culture, the leap of faith story is favored, especially in Hollywood-style motion pictures. In other media and cultures, however, the Slow Change story predominates. In theory, each reflects the way our minds shift belief systems: Sometimes in a binary sense as a single decisive alternation, and other times in an analog sense as a progressive realignment.

Main Character Resolve: Does the Main Character eventually Change or Remain Steadfast?

In empathizing with the Main Character of a story, we nearly become this person. There are certain dynamics we expect to be able to find out about a Main Character as part of experiencing conflicts from his point of view. One of these is called Main Character Resolve.

Main Character Resolve answers the question "Does the Main Character ultimately Change or Remain Steadfast?" At the beginning of the story the Main Character is driven by a particular motivation. When the story ends, he will either still be driven by the same motivation (Steadfast) or have a new motivation (Change).

Main Character Resolve describes the relationship between the Main Character and the Impact Character. The impact of the Impact Character is what forces the Main Character to even consider changing. If the Main Character eventually does change, it is the result of the Impact Character's affect on the Main Character's perspective. If, on the other hand, the Main Character remains steadfast, then his impact on the Impact Character will force the Impact Character to change.

Some Examples:

Star Wars:

Main Character: Luke Skywalker (Change); Impact Character: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Steadfast)

The Story of Job:

Main Character: Job (Steadfast); Impact Character: The Devil (Change)

To Kill A Mockingbird:

Main Character: Scout (Change); Impact Character: Boo Radley (Steadfast)

The Fugitive:

Main Character: Dr. Richard Kimble (Steadfast); Impact Character: Agent Gerard (Change)