We can see the broken glass more clearly-the image shown is sparklingly, specifically earned. Both halves of the quotation gesture toward showing, but the first (moon shining) shows lazily. Chekhov is believed to have coined the adage, when, in a letter to his brother, he said, “Don’t tell me the moon is shining show me the glints of light on broken glass.” Only Chekhov doesn’t seem to be referencing “telling” at all. Seasoned writers will recognize “show, don’t tell” as a writerly dictum they once clung to like the Eleventh Commandment, but may now blithely shrug away. Gornick defines situation as “the context or circumstance, sometimes the plot,” while story is “the emotional experience that preoccupies the writer: the insight, the wisdom, the thing one has come to say.” After years of studying and teaching this book myself, I’ve realized another way of understanding this: situation shows, and story tells.
Because how compelling can situation-that brief interlude, that mere place-really be?īut if you’re familiar with Vivian Gornick’s 2001 primer on personal narrative, The Situation and the Story, you might have paused at the question, since her book establishes the two as equally important qualities in any work of literature. If you’re a writer, you’ve likely been inculcated with the notion that story, with its inherent drama, character, and action, hews more closely to your ultimate writerly goal. So whether it is visuals or narratives, consider adding vignettes to into the mix.Which sounds the most engaging: Situation or Story? Don’t overthink it. Understanding and appreciating their use enriches the viewing experience, allowing for a deeper dive into the layers of storytelling on screen. They can guide an audience's attention, elicit specific emotional responses, or provide depth and nuance to the overarching narrative. Vignettes, whether visual or narrative, are potent tools in the hands of filmmakers. Anthology TV Shows: Series like Black Mirror or The Twilight Zone present narrative vignettes as self-contained episodes, each with a unique story but sharing thematic elements.
When Harry Met Sally (1989): Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron tell a story that jumps in time and shows us the scenes that make up a great relationship.Pulp Fiction (1994): Tarantino's masterpiece uses narrative vignettes to craft interconnected stories, each providing unique insights into characters and the overall plot.Many period pieces or biopics: Films set in earlier eras might use vignetting to mimic the look of old cameras, instilling a sense of authenticity and vintage feel.While the film is predominantly black and white, this scene's use of color and subtle vignetting draws the audience's focus onto the girl, emphasizing the horrors of war through an innocent lens. Schindler's List (1993): The iconic scene with the girl in the red coat.Pacing and Rhythm: These brief episodes can offer a respite from the main action or inject a rapid change of tone or pace.Theme Enhancement: A narrative vignette can serve to underscore the primary theme of the film or show, often in a subtle, indirect manner.Character Depth: These short scenes can reveal hidden aspects of a character's personality, backstory, or motivation.Stylistic Choice: Filmmakers may use a vignette to evoke a specific era, like old films or vintage photographs.Mood and Atmosphere: Vignettes can evoke nostalgia, intimacy, or even a dreamlike state, depending on the context.Emphasis on Subject: By dimming the edges, the subject in the center (be it a character, object, or action) becomes the undeniable focus.They come in two predominant forms: visual and narrative.Įach plays a distinct role in communicating themes, emotions, and significant moments to the audience. In the realm of film, TV, and literature, vignettes serve as powerful tools to enhance storytelling.