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 7,564 Comments

7,564 Responses to Troperiffic Tuesday!: Chekhov’s Gun

  1. find me a locksmith near me

    7 Helpful Tips To Make The The Most Of Your Locksmith Services find me a locksmith near me

  2. Situs Toto Login

    The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Situs Toto Login Situs Toto Login

  3. Secher-Byskov-2.Blogbright.Net

    10 Upvc Doors Tricks Experts Recommend Upvc Door Letter Boxes (Secher-Byskov-2.Blogbright.Net)

  4. double Glaze repair

    Your Family Will Thank You For Having This Double Glazing Harrow double Glaze repair

  5. window

    Double Glazed Window Repair Tools To Improve Your Daily Life
    Double Glazed Window Repair Trick That Should Be
    Used By Everyone Learn window

  6. Mikayla

    Double Glazing Companies Near Me Tools To Ease Your Everyday Lifethe Only Double Glazing
    Companies Near Me Trick That Every Person Must Be Able
    To double glazing companies near me (Mikayla)

  7. Fire Suites

    The Complete Guide To Electric Fireplace Suite UK Fire Suites

  8. social-medialink.com

    Don’t Make This Silly Mistake When It Comes To Your UK Private ADHD Diagnosis private Adhd assessment wirral (social-medialink.com)

  9. double stroller With Bassinet

    Twin Buggy: What No One Is Talking About double stroller With Bassinet

  10. Lynell

    A mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims file various types of claims to get compensation. Personal injury lawsuits and wrongful-death suits are included.

    Also visit my site asbestos attorney [Lynell]

  11. peatix.com

    You’ll Never Be Able To Figure Out This Keyrepair’s Tricks
    keyrepair – peatix.com,

  12. home window Repair

    Searching For Inspiration? Check Out Upvc Window Doctor home window Repair

  13. skoda new key

    10 Skoda Key Replacement That Are Unexpected skoda new key

  14. kia spare key Cost

    What Are The Myths And Facts Behind Kia Key Fob kia spare key Cost

  15. Mystery box online opening

    “The Online Mystery Box Awards: The Most Sexiest, Worst, And The Most Bizarre Things We’ve Seen Mystery box online opening

  16. 메이저사이트

    An Easy-To-Follow Guide To Sports Toto Official Website 메이저사이트

  17. olderworkers.com.au

    A Look At The Future What’s The Skoda Fabia Replacement Key Industry Look Like In 10 Years?
    skoda Octavia key replacement (olderworkers.com.au)

  18. Sofa With l shape

    See What Sofa With L Shape Tricks The Celebs Are Using Sofa With l shape

  19. Repair Double Glazed Windows

    Ten Repair Double Glazed Windows That Really Help You Live
    Better Repair Double Glazed Windows

  20. glamorouslengths.com

    A mesothelioma lawyer can assist asbestos Attorney; glamorouslengths.com, victims make a claim for compensation for medical expenses,
    lost wages, and other expenses.

  21. How much is a replacement Kia key

    Looking Into The Future How Will The Kia Picanto Key Replacement Industry Look Like In 10 Years?
    How much is a replacement Kia key

  22. Used Wood Burning Stoves

    Guide To Used Wood Burning Stoves: The Intermediate Guide In Used Wood Burning Stoves Used Wood Burning Stoves

  23. Starla

    The 9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Lost Lexus Key Fob lost lexus key (Starla)

  24. Lost car keys

    7 Small Changes That Will Make A Big Difference In Your Mobile Auto Locksmith Lost car keys

  25. 메이저사이트 바록가기

    11 Creative Methods To Write About Sports Toto Official Website 메이저사이트 바록가기

  26. まで 助詞

    Mohun Bagan swapped Kotal for Sahal Abdul Samad and reportedly paid a switch price of 90 lakhs to the Blasters.

  27. Tilt And Turn Windows Fix

    10 Essentials About Large Tilt And Turn Windows You Didn’t Learn In School
    Tilt And Turn Windows Fix

  28. Brandie

    15 Funny People Working Secretly In Mesothelioma Case mesothelioma lawsuit
    - Brandie -

  29. how to fix tilt and turn windows

    How To Fix Tilt And Turn Windows Tools To Improve Your Everyday Lifethe Only How To Fix Tilt And Turn Windows Trick Every Individual Should Be Able To how to fix tilt and turn windows

  30. Randi

    The Reason The Biggest “Myths” About Accident Lawyer Brooklyn Could Be True lawyer
    near me accident (Randi)

  31. item level upgrade

    14 Misconceptions Common To Item Upgrade item level upgrade

  32. Window repair Near Me

    Nine Things That Your Parent Taught You About
    Upvc Window Repair Near Me Window repair Near Me

  33. how much is a private adhd assessment

    See What How Much Is A Private ADHD Assessment
    UK Tricks The Celebs Are Using how much is a private adhd assessment

  34. car keys replacement cost

    See What Car Keys Replacement Cost Tricks The Celebs Are Utilizing car keys replacement cost

  35. Case Battle Cs

    15 Case Battles Bloggers You Should Follow Case Battle Cs

  36. Pull Out Sofa Sectional

    5 Killer Quora Answers To Pull Out Sofa Sectional Pull Out Sofa Sectional

  37. championsleage.review

    You’ll Never Be Able To Figure Out This Audi A1
    Key’s Tricks audi a1 key (championsleage.review)

  38. Alta

    15 Reasons To Not Overlook Handicapped Electric Wheelchair lightweight electric
    wheelchair uk (Alta)

  39. Spencer

    Find Out More About Locksmith Near Me For Cars When You
    Work From The Comfort Of Your Home locksmith car key (Spencer)

  40. Adolfo

    The affected individuals will require an asbestos lawyer to help them hold companies accountable for their exposure.
    Often, the manufacturers knew about the link between mesothelioma and asbestos litigation,
    Adolfo,
    but did not take responsibility.

  41. campbellm431ltc9.celticwiki.Com

    This Week’s Top Stories About Electric Wall Mounted Fires Electric Wall Mounted Fires on the wall fireplace; campbellm431ltc9.celticwiki.Com,

  42. ford key cutting

    You’ll Never Be Able To Figure Out This Ford Key Cutting’s Benefits ford key cutting

  43. Private Adhd Assessment Middlesbrough

    ADHD Private Assesment Explained In Less Than 140 Characters Private Adhd Assessment Middlesbrough

  44. www.1Moli.Top

    Guide To Stroller Single: The Intermediate Guide In Stroller Single stroller single (http://www.1Moli.Top)

  45. Repair car Key remote

    15 Of The Best Pinterest Boards All Time About Car Remote Key Repair Repair car Key remote

  46. 프라그마틱 무료게임

    10 Strategies To Build Your Pragmatic Slots Free Empire 프라그마틱 무료게임

  47. Alyce

    You’ll Never Guess This Bmw Spare Key Cost’s Benefits bmw spare key cost (Alyce)

  48. metooo.it

    14 Savvy Ways To Spend On Leftover Mini Cooper Replacement Key
    Budget Replacement mini key fob cost uk (metooo.it)

  49. Kirby

    What Is The Reason Mystery Box Is The Right Choice For You?
    online mystery box sites (Kirby)

  50. Small Woodburning stove

    20 Things You Need To Know About Woodburning Stove Small Woodburning stove

Add a Comment