There is often confusion when defining what eucatastrophe and deus ex machina are. Both are plot devices used to indicate a turn of events that is beneficial to your protagonist and leads to a happy ending.
It may seem like I’m splitting hairs here, but trust me, there is a fundamental difference that separates the two.
Eucatastrophe vs. Deus Ex Machina
A eucatastrophe is any sudden, positive change that may lead a story to a happy ending. Although it’s unexpected, it still fits into the narrative by way of foreshadowing or character development.
In contrast, a deus ex machina is a seemingly forced resolution. The unexpected ending has no connection with the larger narrative. It’s as if a god entered the story just to end it, even though the said god was never hinted at throughout the story.
Following these descriptions, a eucatastrophe can be a deus ex machina, but a deus ex machina cannot be a eucatastrophe.
Definition of Eucatastrophe
Eucatastrophe was coined by one of fantasy’s granddaddies, J.R.R Tolkien. It means “good destruction,” and describes a sudden turn of events that change catastrophe into victory.
It’s an integral part of Tolkien’s mythopoeia (artificial mythology). Unlike the deus ex machina, a eucatastrophe can be foreshadowed and even integrated into a character’s development.
A prominent example of this is seen in The Lord of the Rings‘ conclusion. Frodo is about to throw the One Ring in the Pits of Doom, but suddenly succumbs to its evil. But Gollum suddenly appears and steals the ring. While gloating, he accidentally falls into the volcano, destroying the ring.
People argue that Gollum is a deus ex machina, but his obsession with the ring was already established long before they arrived at Mount Doom. In fact, it would have been out of character for Gollum not to try stealing the ring.
Then there’s Frodo’s act of mercy to Gollum. If he had consented to Gollum’s death, there wouldn’t have been an unlikely antagonist trying to steal back the ring.
In this regard, the gun has been loaded, ready to aim at a possible resolution (although it’s so unobvious that it surprises us when it happens). The only thing left to do is pull the trigger and make it happen (which we know Tolkien did). So Gollum can’t be a deus ex machina because a path was laid out for his actions.
The opposite of a eucatastrophe is a dyscatastrophe, where an unexpected turn of events result in defeat instead of victory. It’s not a frequently used term compared to eucatastrophe, because a catastrophe already means a turn for the worst, making dyscatastrophe a redundant term.
Definition of Deus Ex Machina
Deus ex machina is Latin for “god from the machine.” It originated from ancient Greek theatre conventions, where actors portraying gods are put on stage using a contraption. These “gods” were often used to end a story.
The classical worldview back then was that great dramas were made by the gods’ passions and desires, and dramas could only be resolved by one of them. Endings like these weren’t considered poor quality, but a normal part of stories and life in general.
In contemporary times, the deus ex machina is when an unsolvable situation is suddenly solved by an unexpected event, character, or thing. It’s a writer’s deliberate effort to force a story into a resolution (often a happy ending).
With people now considering stories to be naturally character-driven, it gained a negative reputation as a cheap way of resolving things. Nowadays, it’s often used for comedic effect, and anyone who uses the technique for more serious purposes is almost guaranteed to be criticized.
A good example of deus ex machina happens in Monty Python’s Life of Brian. The protagonist, Brian, who lives in the same era as Jesus Christ, falls from a tower, only to be saved by an alien spaceship. As it’s a comedy film, the event is intentionally meant to elicit laughs.
A bad example is in H.G. Wells’s War of the Worlds. Throughout the novel (and the movie), the aliens are portrayed as unbeatable, with humanity constantly on the retreat. But humans suddenly wake up to find all of the aliens slain by germs. It’s an abrupt and anti-climactic ending that doesn’t fit the desperate atmosphere of the story.
Resolving Your Story
As I stated above, a lot of people find deus ex machina to be lazy writing and an inartistic denouement, or resolution to a story. It’s frequently ridiculed when used as a technique in books and film.
Sure, you can absolutely use it in your writing, but you have to make sure that it doesn’t become an integral part of your storytelling. When it does, then your works will lose quality. You don’t want to be known as a lazy writer, right?
Rather than risk it, creating opportunities for a eucatastrophe is safer and more satisfying. You won’t sacrifice quality, and you’ll still leave your readers surprised.
It’s definitely harder to lay down inconspicuous tracks necessary to pull off a eucatastrophe, but at least you won’t be hated by your readers.
What’s your most hated example of deus ex machina? Share it in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Understanding Plot: Key Elements and Examples
- 17 of the Most Common Literary Devices Every Reader and Writer Should Know
- The Unreliable Narrator: Definition, Examples, and How to Spot One
- Stream of Consciousness: How Writers Use This Narrative Technique to Reveal Characters
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
