Art of Story Stuart J. Tanner

We start the Art of Story course with a look at what purpose story serves for us. Why is it we're designed to be enrolled by the magical power of a story? The answer takes us back to when our hunter-gatherer ancestors needed to pass on knowledge to the next generation.

The protagonist is the main character, or the central figure in the story. Almost without exception, the protagonist will go through some process of change or transformation. How and why this happens is revealed in the story. The antagonist is the character in opposition to the protagonist, and against whom they must contend. It’s this central opposition that gives the story its drama and dynamism.

Transformation is the inner aspect of story. A main character face challenges, and in order to meet these challenges, they need to change. In this episode of Art of Story, we examine the transformation arc of a main character and its vital role in story.