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| Happy end? Again? Really? |
In nowadays romance novels, we come to know the term HEA (Happily Ever
After), HFN (Happy For Now), ETR (Epic Tragic Romantic). Many readers
and even publishers demand HEA. Theory goes that HEA gives the readers a
good feelings after reading, thus it's more preferable. ETR is the
least wanted ending, so I heard. But let's see whether ETR is really bad
or not.
As human beings living in a world full of
problems, we prefer to read (and watch) things which can make us smile
with much satisfaction in the end. However, such stories are
unrealistic! It's like reading modern fairytale. Real life doesn't
always give happy end. That's the fact. Like it or not, tragedy can also
be a good commodity for stories/movies.
DEFINITION
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From what I gather online, there's a clear definition regarding HEA, HFN, ETR ending:
* HEA: main characters are happily ever. Most stories end in a happy marriage or engagement. * HFN: main characters are still happy but their future is not guaranteed. Most end in dating scenes or sexual relations.
* ETR: one or both characters die. Readers scream, "Why?!"
GOOD ETR
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The famous example of ETR is James Cameron's Titanic:
tragic love between Jack and Rose. We see how they fall in love and how
they fight to survive. But in the end, Jack still dies. The movie is
also closed with an ending which can be construed as a death scene.
Nevertheless, the movie actually has a fake ETR because we're shown that
Jack and Rose's spirits are happy in the afterlife. Most people love
that movie! Some even watch multiple times. If ETR were so bad,
logically that movie should have sunk into the bottom of Atlantic.
Another ETR example is Madame Butterfly
(based on true story). We watch how Rene Gullimard fell for a Chinese
actress Song Liling and married her, even brought her to France. In the
end, Song turned out to be a man! Feeling betrayed, Gullimard chose to
keep the memories of female Song in his mind as he commits suicide.
This ETR story has been made into movies and also plays. Again, if ETR
were so bad, logically no one would have wanted to watch it.
Alright, perhaps you may protest that Titanic and Madame Butterfly are movies. Well, what about Romeo and Juliet.
Two lovers fight to be together and they are so close to happy-end,
only to be ruined by misunderstanding. And death befalls them both. ETR
haters will have to explain why this tragic stories have been retold
& rewritten so many times.
