Troperiffic Tuesday!: Chekhov’s Gun

Chick 1 says:

Welcome back to Troperiffic Tuesday!  This week we’re looking at one of the basic tenets of storytelling, Chekhov’s Gun.  The trope is based on a principle espoused by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov.  Chekhov said it a variety of ways but it comes down to this, “If you have a gun on stage, it better go off before the end of the play.”

Chekhov’s Gun falls under the Law of Conservation of Detail which teaches writers to make every word, every bit of dialogue count.  If it doesn’t drive the story, don’t waste your precious time with it.  In movies you only have 90-120 minutes to tell a story, on TV only 22-43 minutes so every detail has to count.  Don’t introduce any element that distracts from the story.

The trope isn’t limited to guns or weapons.  In fact it’s created a variety of subgenres like Chekhov’s Skills and Chekhov’s Joke.  Chekhov’s Gun can also create Foreshadowing.  The opposite of Chekhov’s Gun is the Red Herring, an item or character introduced to fool the audience into thinking the story is going one way when it’s really going another. 

Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg are masters of Conservation of Detail and as a result, masters at using Chekhov’s Gun.  In both Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz,  there are dozens of details that come back into play later in the movie like the swan that Sgt Angel chases through out Hot Fuzz.  The swan is a symbol of Angel’s frustration with his new quiet country life but it’s the swan that actually deals the final blow to the bad guy.

J.K. Rowling uses this trope almost to a fault.  By the 3rd or 4th  Harry Potter book/movie, the audience began to expect that whatever spell the trio learned in class would be crucial to defeating Voldemort at the  end.  What was great about this method is that learning the spells served several purposes.  First, it added to feel of the young wizards being at school but with a whimsical element.  Second, while the kids were studying they were also often passing on exposition to the audience while they were chatting.  And finally, Rowling was setting them up with the skills they’d need for the big finale.

Other Chekhov’s Guns include the Omega-13 in Galaxy Quest, Marion’s drinking skills in Raiders, and Tony’s first chest piece in Iron Man.  Slumdog Millionaire was one long set of Chekhov’s Guns as each episode of  Jamal’s life gives him what he needs for the game show. 

 And don’t forget ”No capes!” in The Incredibles.  Here’s proof that a good fashion designer can save your life!

Posted on by Chick 1 in Tropes 48,348 Comments

48,348 Responses to Troperiffic Tuesday!: Chekhov’s Gun

  1. mesothelioma attorneys

    Its History Of Asbestos Mesothelioma mesothelioma attorneys

  2. Cherie

    15 Best Built In Microwave Oven Combo Bloggers
    You Must Follow best built in microwave oven – Cherie -

  3. how much is a Rolls royce key

    The 10 Most Scariest Things About How Much
    Is A Rolls Royce Key how much is a Rolls royce key

  4. snaptik

    This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me. Thanks a lot!

  5. black seo links

    That is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate info… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!

  6. Lukas

    5 Killer Quora Answers To Cryptocurrency Online Casino cryptocurrency online casino – Lukas -

  7. 気が乗らない 丁寧語

    When a participant efficiently lands their ball into a cup, that cup is removed from the play area.

  8. 東京 湾 地震 津波

    And I take advantage of all 4 of those heeling in our routine at some point.

  9. Vida

    Asbestos Litigation Online: It’s Not As Expensive As You Think asbestos lawsuits – Vida -

  10. Accident Lawsuits

    10 Times You’ll Have To Know About Accident Lawyer Near Me Accident Lawsuits

  11. 주소모음사이트

    Don’t Be Enticed By These “Trends” About Address Collection 주소모음사이트

  12. Lovense Man

    Guide To Lovense Man: The Intermediate Guide For Lovense Man Lovense Man

  13. 프라그마틱 이미지

    The Reason Pragmatic Slot Manipulation Is Quickly Becoming The Hot Trend Of 2024 프라그마틱 이미지

  14. Imoodle.win

    You’ll Never Guess This CSGO Case Battle’s Benefits csgo case battle (Imoodle.win)

  15. Edmund

    Responsible For The Triple Stroller Budget?
    12 Top Notch Ways To Spend Your Money compact stroller (Edmund)

  16. Wood Window Handle

    A Positive Rant Concerning Replacement Window Handles Wood Window Handle

  17. Repair Bifold Door Bottom Pivot

    10 Things That Your Family Teach You About Repair Bifold Door Bottom Pivot Repair Bifold Door Bottom Pivot

  18. adult Adhd online test

    You’ve Forgotten ADHD Test Adults: 10 Reasons That You No Longer
    Need It adult Adhd online test

  19. hacked wp-admin

    Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after going through a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!

  20. skoda fabia locked keys in car

    20 Myths About Skoda Kodiaq Key: Busted skoda fabia locked keys in car

  21. telegram @seo_anomaly

    Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won’t disappoint me as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, nonetheless I genuinely believed you’d have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something you could fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.

  22. k12.instructure.Com

    You’ll Never Guess This Power Tools For Sale’s Tricks
    power Tools – k12.instructure.Com,

  23. Private Psychiatrist

    Private Psychiatrist Northern Ireland Tools To Ease
    Your Daily Life Private Psychiatrist Northern Ireland Trick That Should Be Used
    By Everyone Know Private Psychiatrist

  24. Mini Cooper Keys Replacement

    How To Explain Mini Cooper Key Fob Replacement To A Five-Year-Old Mini Cooper Keys Replacement

  25. High Sleeper Treehouse Bed

    The Top Reasons Why People Succeed In The Christopher Treehouse Bed Industry High Sleeper Treehouse Bed

  26. Jonas

    An In-Depth Look Back A Trip Back In Time: What People Talked About L Shape
    Bunks 20 Years Ago l shape bunk bed (Jonas)

  27. Hortense

    The 9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Dual Fuel Cooker Range dual fuel cooker range (Hortense)

  28. software to create seo links for gambling! telegram

    You’re so interesting! I do not suppose I’ve read through something like this before. So nice to discover somebody with a few genuine thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality.

  29. Car Accident Injury Attorney Near Me

    How Car Accident Lawsuits Became The Hottest Trend Of 2022 Car Accident Injury Attorney Near Me

  30. power Tools cheap

    Five Killer Quora Answers To Power Tools Cheap power Tools cheap

  31. Hulkshare.com

    15 Terms That Everyone Working In The Car Accidents Attorney Industry Should Know car
    Injury lawyer Near me (Hulkshare.com)

  32. 3 wheel pushchair travel system

    Guide To 3 Wheel Pushchair Travel System: The Intermediate Guide To 3 Wheel
    Pushchair Travel System 3 wheel pushchair travel system

  33. Zak

    A Trip Back In Time What People Said About Collapsible Scooter 20 Years Ago mobility boot
    scooter (Zak)

  34. anal Butt plug

    Guide To Glass Anal Butt Plug: The Intermediate Guide To
    Glass Anal Butt Plug anal Butt plug

  35. Buster

    20 Questions You Must Always Ask About Bunk Beds For Children Before You Buy Bunk Beds For
    Children buy bunk bed, Buster,

  36. best 3 wheel stroller travel system

    A Look Inside Lightweight 3 Wheel Stroller’s Secrets Of Lightweight 3 Wheel Stroller best 3 wheel stroller travel system

  37. adult adhd symptoms in men

    Responsible For An Adult ADHD Symptoms Men Budget? 10 Amazing Ways To Spend Your Money adult adhd symptoms in men

  38. Single buggy with buggy board

    You’ll Never Guess This Single Buggy With Buggy
    Board’s Benefits Single buggy with buggy board

  39. Elyse

    Ten Easy Steps To Launch Your Own Asbestos Attorneys Oklahoma Business mesothelioma lawsuits [Elyse]

  40. Jerome

    A Brief History Of Address Collection Site History Of Address Collection Site 주소모음사이트, Jerome,

  41. telegram @seo_linkk

    You made some really good points there. I looked on the internet to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.

  42. Window Repair Near Me

    10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Upvc Window Repair Near Me Window Repair Near Me

  43. Item Upgrades

    20 Myths About Item Upgrade: Busted Item Upgrades

  44. Janet

    Guide To Patio Sliding Doors Repair: The Intermediate Guide For Patio Sliding Doors Repair patio sliding doors repair [Janet]

  45. semi truck accident lawyers near me

    The Under-Appreciated Benefits Of Truck Accident Lawyer semi truck accident lawyers near me

  46. Ouida

    10 Tips For Foldable Treadmill With Incline That Are Unexpected how to change the incline on a
    treadmill (Ouida)

  47. Felicia

    10 Myths Your Boss Has Concerning Link Collection 링크모음사이트 – Felicia -

  48. Adhd Online testing

    7 Things You Never Knew About Testing For ADHD In Adults Adhd Online testing

  49. repairer

    Five Things You Didn’t Know About Window Repair Near Me repairer

  50. 若い男 掲示板

    Need that “strolling on clouds” stage of consolation?

Add a Comment