Is there a term for a character only there to die? [duplicate]

Is there a term for a character only there to die? [duplicate] - Person Wearing Red Dress

In some movies, you can tell when a character is there only to make a dramatic moment when he/she dies.

Is there a term for a character written specifically to die for dramatic purpose?



Best Answer

The word redshirt originiated in Star Trek where security personnel wore red shirts and would frequently die during missions. The term has since spread beyond Star Trek and is often used these days for a character whose death provides dramatic effect.

Another commonly used expression is sacrifical lamb which comes from the Bible story where Abraham sacrifices a lamb instead of his son. This phrase has also been adopted in literature annd films with a similar meaning i.e. someone who is only there to die for dramatic effect.




Pictures about "Is there a term for a character only there to die? [duplicate]"

Is there a term for a character only there to die? [duplicate] - Photo of Female Mobster Pointing the Gun on Man
Is there a term for a character only there to die? [duplicate] - Pluto Costume
Is there a term for a character only there to die? [duplicate] - Photo of an Elegant Woman Pointing the Gun



What is a story called when the main character dies?

The killing off of a character is a device in fiction, whereby a character dies, but the story continues. The term, frequently applied to television, film, video game, anime, manga and chronological series, often denotes an untimely or unexpected death motivated by factors beyond the storyline.

What does death trope mean?

The death trope is usually used when referring to the death of a character (for our purposes, we'll be going over the death of the protagonist and the antagonist) of a book or movie.

What happens if a protagonist dies?

A story that casts death as permanent and final, ends with the death of the protagonist. All that can come after it is an epilogue. Certainly you don't have to narrate the story chronologically, and there are novels that begin with the protagonist's death and are all flashbacks, but the story still ends with his death.

How do you make a character death mean something?

7 Tips For Writing Meaningful Death Scenes
  • Make the reader care about the character. ...
  • Make the reader despise the character. ...
  • Show the death's effect on other characters. ...
  • Avoid over-dramatisation and clich\xe9s. ...
  • Don't rely on shock value. ...
  • Try not to make a death predictable.




  • Heartstopper | Official Trailer | Netflix




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Pixabay, cottonbro, Craig Adderley, cottonbro