I have recently rediscovered how much I love it when a character in a movie/book/tv show discovers who they really are. It’s either a breathtakingly tragic moment or a moment of joyous celebration.
With discovering who they are, almost all of them nail down what their purpose is, and we all know that we love to know what their purpose is. To prove my point, please enjoy just a few of the declaration statements I thought of as I thought through this.
“I am Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
“I am Loki. Of Asgard. And I am burdened with glorious purpose.”
“I am Moana of Motonui. You will board my boat and sail across the ocean to return the heart of Te Fiti.”
“I am a Jedi.”
“I am that hero.”
“I am Groot.”
“I am Iron Man.”
“I am the President of the United States of America, clothed in immense power. You will procure those votes.”
Those are just some of them.
You’ll notice in the case of Loki, I added in a villain. (Don’t argue with me, for the sake of the Avengers movie, he was a villain.) This is because it’s not just the heroes who can have this epiphany moment.
In the case of Groot, it’s less an identity statement as it is that’s all he can say, but hey I couldn’t resist.
Declaration statements often come out in the heat of battle, or when they need to know who they are most. In the case of Inigo, he talks about saying that to the man who killed his father, but he never says it with as much conviction as when he finally meets him face to face.
The same goes for Moana (who eventually comes to the revelation — in song, no less — that “I am Moana!”). She needs to know that who she is, is enough to help save her people.
Declaration statements are fun and even more fun to use. I’m going to go try some in my newest WIPs. What about you?
The Write Knowledge 