What is a presumed innocent finale?
A presumed innocent finale is a plot device used in storytelling, particularly in legal dramas and crime fiction, where the protagonist is initially presumed guilty of a crime but is later revealed to be innocent through the course of the story.
This plot device creates suspense and keeps the reader engaged as they follow the protagonist's journey to clear their name. It also allows the author to explore themes of justice, morality, and the power of redemption.
One of the most famous examples of a presumed innocent finale is the novel and film "Presumed Innocent" by Scott Turow. In this story, a prosecutor is accused of murdering his mistress, and the novel follows his struggle to prove his innocence while dealing with the prejudices and suspicions of his colleagues and the public.
The presumed innocent finale is a powerful storytelling tool that can be used to create suspense, explore important themes, and ultimately deliver a satisfying conclusion to a story.
Presumed Innocent Finale
A presumed innocent finale is a plot device that keeps the reader engaged until the last page when the protagonist, initially presumed guilty, is revealed innocent. The following seven key aspects explore the core elements of this storytelling technique:
- Suspense: The presumed innocent finale creates suspense by keeping the reader guessing until the very end.
- Characterization: The protagonist must be well-developed and relatable in order for the reader to invest in their journey.
- Theme: The presumed innocent finale often explores themes of justice, morality, and redemption.
- Setting: The setting can play a significant role in the story, creating a sense of atmosphere and tension.
- Plot: The plot must be well-paced and engaging, keeping the reader hooked until the final revelation.
- Resolution: The resolution must be satisfying and believable, providing closure to the story.
- Impact: A well-executed presumed innocent finale can leave a lasting impact on the reader, making them think about the story long after they have finished reading it.
In the novel and film "Presumed Innocent," the presumed innocent finale is used to great effect. The protagonist, Rusty Sabich, is a respected prosecutor who is accused of murdering his mistress. The novel follows Rusty's struggle to prove his innocence while dealing with the prejudices and suspicions of his colleagues and the public. The resolution of the story is both satisfying and believable, and it provides a powerful commentary on the justice system.
The presumed innocent finale is a powerful storytelling tool that can be used to create suspense, explore important themes, and deliver a satisfying conclusion to a story.
Suspense
The presumed innocent finale is a plot device that creates suspense by keeping the reader guessing until the very end. This is achieved through a combination of well-developed characters, a tightly plotted story, and a setting that creates a sense of atmosphere and tension.
- Well-developed characters: The protagonist of a presumed innocent finale must be well-developed and relatable in order for the reader to invest in their journey. The reader must believe that the protagonist is innocent and that they are fighting against all odds to prove their innocence.
- Tightly plotted story: The plot of a presumed innocent finale must be well-paced and engaging, keeping the reader hooked until the final revelation. The story should be full of twists and turns, and the reader should never be sure what is going to happen next.
- Setting: The setting of a presumed innocent finale can play a significant role in creating suspense. The setting should be atmospheric and tense, and it should reflect the protagonist's inner turmoil.
When all of these elements are combined, the presumed innocent finale can be a powerful storytelling tool that keeps the reader engaged until the very end.
Characterization
In a presumed innocent finale, the protagonist is initially presumed guilty of a crime but is later revealed to be innocent. This plot device can be very effective, but it relies on the reader being invested in the protagonist's journey. If the protagonist is not well-developed and relatable, the reader will not care whether or not they are innocent, and the story will fall flat.
There are a number of ways to develop a well-rounded and relatable protagonist. One way is to give them a clear and understandable motivation. What do they want? Why are they fighting for their innocence? The reader needs to be able to understand and empathize with the protagonist's goals in order to root for them.
Another important aspect of character development is giving the protagonist flaws. No one is perfect, and the protagonist should be no exception. Their flaws will make them more relatable and human, and it will make their journey to prove their innocence more believable.
Finally, it is important to give the protagonist a strong voice. The reader needs to be able to hear the protagonist's thoughts and feelings in order to connect with them. The protagonist's voice should be unique and memorable, and it should reflect their personality and motivations.
When the protagonist is well-developed and relatable, the reader will be more invested in their journey. This will make the presumed innocent finale more suspenseful and satisfying.
Theme
The presumed innocent finale is a plot device that can be used to explore a variety of themes, including justice, morality, and redemption. In a presumed innocent finale, the protagonist is initially presumed guilty of a crime but is later revealed to be innocent. This plot device can be used to explore the following themes:
- Justice: The presumed innocent finale can be used to explore the theme of justice by showing how the justice system can sometimes fail to protect the innocent. In a presumed innocent finale, the protagonist is wrongly accused of a crime and must fight to prove their innocence. This can lead to a deeper exploration of the justice system and how it can be improved.
- Morality: The presumed innocent finale can be used to explore the theme of morality by showing how people can make mistakes and how they can be redeemed. In a presumed innocent finale, the protagonist may have made a mistake that led to them being accused of a crime. However, the story can show how the protagonist can learn from their mistake and redeem themselves.
- Redemption: The presumed innocent finale can be used to explore the theme of redemption by showing how people can overcome adversity and find redemption. In a presumed innocent finale, the protagonist may have been through a difficult time but they are able to overcome their challenges and find redemption.
The presumed innocent finale is a powerful plot device that can be used to explore a variety of important themes. By exploring these themes, the presumed innocent finale can help us to understand the world around us and to see the importance of justice, morality, and redemption.
Setting
In a presumed innocent finale, the setting can play a significant role in creating a sense of atmosphere and tension. The setting can be used to reflect the protagonist's inner turmoil, to create a sense of claustrophobia or paranoia, or to foreshadow the protagonist's ultimate fate.
For example, in the novel and film "Presumed Innocent," the setting of a small town in the Midwest is used to create a sense of claustrophobia and paranoia. The protagonist, Rusty Sabich, is a respected prosecutor who is accused of murdering his mistress. The novel follows Rusty's struggle to prove his innocence while dealing with the prejudices and suspicions of his colleagues and the public. The setting of the small town intensifies the sense of isolation and desperation that Rusty feels as he fights to clear his name.
The setting can also be used to foreshadow the protagonist's ultimate fate. For example, in the film "The Fugitive," the protagonist, Dr. Richard Kimble, is a respected surgeon who is wrongly accused of murdering his wife. The film follows Dr. Kimble's journey as he tries to clear his name and find the real killer. The setting of the film, which includes a vast and unforgiving landscape, foreshadows Dr. Kimble's long and difficult journey to find justice.
The setting is an important element of any story, but it can be especially effective in a presumed innocent finale. The setting can be used to create a sense of atmosphere and tension, to reflect the protagonist's inner turmoil, and to foreshadow the protagonist's ultimate fate.
Plot
In a presumed innocent finale, the plot is of paramount importance. It must be well-paced and engaging, keeping the reader hooked until the final revelation. There are several key facets to consider when crafting a plot for a presumed innocent finale:
- Pacing: The pacing of the plot is crucial. The story should move at a steady clip, with enough action and suspense to keep the reader engaged. However, it is also important to avoid rushing the story, as this can make it difficult for the reader to follow the plot and connect with the characters.
- Characterization: The characters in a presumed innocent finale are just as important as the plot. The reader needs to be able to relate to the protagonist and understand their motivations. The characters should be well-developed and believable, and their actions should be consistent with their personalities.
- Setting: The setting of a presumed innocent finale can play a significant role in the story. The setting should be atmospheric and suspenseful, and it should reflect the protagonist's inner turmoil. The setting can also be used to foreshadow the protagonist's ultimate fate.
- Twists and turns: A presumed innocent finale typically involves a number of twists and turns. These twists and turns should be surprising and unexpected, but they should also be believable. The reader should never feel like they are being cheated or that the story is becoming far-fetched.
When all of these elements are combined, the result is a presumed innocent finale that is both suspenseful and satisfying. The reader will be kept guessing until the very end, and they will be left with a sense of closure once the story is resolved.
Resolution
In a presumed innocent finale, the resolution is of paramount importance. It must be satisfying and believable, providing closure to the story. This is because the reader has been invested in the protagonist's journey throughout the story, and they need to feel that the ending is fair and just.
There are a number of factors to consider when crafting a resolution for a presumed innocent finale. First, the resolution must be consistent with the rest of the story. The reader should not feel like the ending was rushed or tacked on. Second, the resolution should be believable. The reader should be able to understand how the protagonist was able to prove their innocence, and they should feel that the ending is plausible.
Finally, the resolution should provide closure to the story. The reader should feel that the protagonist's journey has come to an end, and that they have achieved justice. This does not mean that the ending has to be happy, but it should be satisfying and leave the reader with a sense of closure.
When the resolution is well-crafted, it can leave a lasting impression on the reader. A good resolution can make the reader feel satisfied and fulfilled, and it can make them think about the story long after they have finished reading it.
Impact
A well-executed presumed innocent finale can leave a lasting impact on the reader for a number of reasons. First, it can provide a sense of closure. The reader has been invested in the protagonist's journey throughout the story, and they need to feel that the ending is fair and just. A well-executed resolution can provide this sense of closure, leaving the reader satisfied and fulfilled.
- Emotional impact: A well-executed presumed innocent finale can evoke a range of emotions in the reader, including suspense, excitement, and satisfaction. These emotions can stay with the reader long after they have finished reading the story, and they can make the story more memorable.
- Thought-provoking: A well-executed presumed innocent finale can make the reader think about the story long after they have finished reading it. The story may raise questions about justice, morality, and the nature of truth. These questions can stay with the reader and continue to challenge them long after they have finished reading the story.
- Change in perspective: A well-executed presumed innocent finale can change the reader's perspective on the world. The story may challenge the reader's assumptions about justice, morality, or the nature of truth. This can lead to a deeper understanding of the world and a more nuanced view of human nature.
- Appreciation for storytelling: A well-executed presumed innocent finale can give the reader a greater appreciation for storytelling. The story may demonstrate the power of storytelling to entertain, engage, and provoke thought. This can lead to a greater appreciation for the art of storytelling and a desire to read more.
In conclusion, a well-executed presumed innocent finale can have a lasting impact on the reader. It can provide a sense of closure, evoke a range of emotions, make the reader think, change their perspective on the world, and give them a greater appreciation for storytelling.
FAQs on Presumed Innocent Finales
A presumed innocent finale is a storytelling device where the protagonist, initially presumed guilty of a crime, is later revealed to be innocent. This plot device raises several questions and misconceptions that are addressed in the following FAQs:
Question 1: What is the purpose of a presumed innocent finale?
Answer: A presumed innocent finale serves multiple purposes. It creates suspense by keeping the reader guessing until the end. It explores themes of justice, morality, and redemption. It highlights the protagonist's resilience in the face of adversity.
Question 2: How does a presumed innocent finale impact the reader?
Answer: A well-executed presumed innocent finale can evoke emotions like suspense, excitement, and satisfaction. It stimulates thought and challenges the reader's assumptions. It can change the reader's perspective and enhance their appreciation for storytelling.
Question 3: What are the key elements of a presumed innocent finale?
Answer: A presumed innocent finale consists of a well-developed protagonist, a tightly plotted story, an atmospheric setting, suspenseful pacing, a believable resolution, and an exploration of important themes.
Question 4: How can authors effectively utilize a presumed innocent finale?
Answer: Authors can use a presumed innocent finale effectively by focusing on character development, maintaining suspense, exploring relevant themes, and crafting a satisfying resolution that aligns with the story's progression and the protagonist's journey.
Question 5: What are some notable examples of presumed innocent finales in literature and film?
Answer: The novel and film "Presumed Innocent" by Scott Turow is a classic example of a presumed innocent finale. Other notable examples include "The Fugitive" (film), "The Count of Monte Cristo" (novel), and "Gone Girl" (novel and film).
Question 6: How does a presumed innocent finale differ from a twist ending?
Answer: While both involve unexpected revelations, a presumed innocent finale specifically centers around the protagonist's journey from being presumed guilty to proving their innocence. A twist ending, on the other hand, can involve any surprising turn of events that alters the reader's understanding of the story.
In conclusion, a presumed innocent finale is a powerful storytelling device that can enhance reader engagement, provoke thought, and leave a lasting impact. By understanding its elements and utilizing it effectively, authors can craft compelling stories that explore the complexities of justice, morality, and redemption.
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Conclusion
The presumed innocent finale is a storytelling device that has captivated readers and viewers for generations. It presents a complex and thought-provoking exploration of justice, morality, and redemption. Through the journey of a protagonist initially presumed guilty but ultimately revealed innocent, this plot device keeps readers on the edge of their seats while delving into profound themes.
A well-executed presumed innocent finale not only provides a satisfying resolution but also challenges our assumptions, stimulates critical thinking, and enhances our appreciation for the power of storytelling. It reminds us that truth and justice may not always be evident at first glance and that the pursuit of innocence can be a. As we continue to encounter stories that employ this device, let us embrace the opportunity to reflect on the complexities of the human experience and the enduring search for justice.
