One Gunshot, Two Narratives: What Makes "Doctor Chevalier's Lie" by Kate Chopin Great?
How does Chopin’s subtle use of repetition, allusion, and characterization craft a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of morality, compassion, and deception?
Kate Chopin is know for her exploration of complex human emotions and societal expectations of women. Chopin uses “Doctor Chevalier’s Lie” to investigate the intersection of morality, compassion, and deception.
Chopin’s work is no stranger to What Makes This Short Story Great? series. The first Post was “The Night Came Slowly.” Where the first story was more meditative and atmospheric, “Doctor Chevalier’s Lie” is a character-driven story. It’s the perfect story to analyze from both a reader’s and writer’s perspective.
Let’s begin!
If you’ve never read Chopin’s story, then STOP, click HERE, and read it.
Summary
In Chopin’s story, a doctor named Doctor Chevalier chooses to lie to protect the dignity of a recently found dead girl.
The story explores how personal morality can challenge societal judgment. It explains the cost of compassion and how humanizing acts of kindness can shape our understanding of integrity. It also investigates the moral dilemmas that arise when social norms and attitudes clash with personal ethics.
Most importantly, it shows how even small, merciful lies can carry profound emotional weight.
For aspiring writers, Chopin’s short story offers three key lessons in craft:
How does Chopin use repetition subtly to create emotional resonance?
How does Chopin use allusion to deepen the story’s themes?
How does Chopin use characterization to create a complex and interesting character?
Let’s explore how these elements work together to create a story that’s as subtle as it is powerful.
How does Chopin’s subtle use of repetition add emotional nuance?
Chopin does not use repetition as an overt literary device in a poetic or rhetorical way. Instead, she uses is an extremely subtle approach to repetition to establish tone and themes rather than creating a rhythmic or effect on the reader.
Her use of repetition is also highly psychological and mirrors Doctor Chevalier’s shifting emotional state rather than serving as an overt language pattern.
And, Chopin’s use of repetition is very conceptual, with key ideas (sameness, recognition, invention) subtly echoed rather than explicitly restated.
By repeating certain phrases and details, she subtly reinforces the moral and emotional themes of the story.
I found four examples that require a close, careful reading of the story to see.
Repetition of “the same” to emphasize the routine nature of death in the setting
“The same scurrying; the same groups of tawdry, frightened women bending over banisters—hysterical, some of them; morbidly curious, others; and not a few shedding womanly tears; with a dead girl stretched somewhere, as this one was.”
This repetition of “the same” underscores how common violence and tragedy have become in this part of the city. It creates a sense of monotony that makes death feel almost procedural, until Doctor Chevalier realizes that this particular case is different.
Use of “certainly” and “yet” creates contrast between fact and emotions
“Certainly she was dead: there was the hole in the temple where she had sent the bullet through. Yet it was different.”
The repetition of “certainly” suggests that, on an absolute and factual level, there is no doubt about the girl’s death. However, the contrast introduced by “yet” signals a change from facts to emotions. Doctor Chevalier recognizes her and that makes this death personal. This emphasizes his inner conflict, as he tries to reconcile the certainty of death with the emotional impact of knowing the victim. What makes this victim different?
The concept of “letter” and “invention” as a repeated motif
“The following day he wrote a letter. One, doubtless, to carry sorrow, but no shame to the cabin down there in the forest. It told that the girl had sickened and died. A lock of hair was sent and other trifles with it. Tender last words were even invented.”
By isolating “a letter” as its own sentence and repeating the phrase, Chopin draws attention to the significance of this act. The act of writing a letter as a constructed version of reality is a repeated idea. The letter doesn’t just report a death, it rewrites the truth to protect the girl’s family.
The word choice of “invented” suggests that Doctor Chevalier is engaging in storytelling, not just reporting, which supports the theme that memory and truth are fluid and changing. This motif repetition underscores the story’s theme of deception vs. mercy. Is Doctor Chevalier lying, or is he offering a final kindness?
Repetition of “shoulders were shrugged” to highlight society’s indifference
“Of course it was noised about that Doctor Chevalier had cared for the remains of a woman of doubtful repute. Shoulders were shrugged. Society thought of cutting him. Society did not, for some reason or other, so the affair blew over.”
The phrase “shoulders were shrugged” conveys the dismissive attitude of society toward both the dead girl and Doctor Chevalier’s. The repetition of “society” further shows how arbitrary and fickle its judgment can be. First “society” considered rejecting him then ultimately letting the situation pass. This mirrors the larger theme of moral ambiguity and the hypocrisy of social norms.
Takeaways for writers when trying to add a subtle use of repetition
Repetition is a powerful storytelling tool that, when used intentionally and with nuance, can highlight a story’s themes, enhance the emotional tone, and shape a story’s rhythm.
Here are key four takeaways for writers looking to apply a nuanced approach to using repetition in their own work:
Use repetition to create a source of tension by establishing a routine and then disrupting it.
Writers can use repetition to lull readers into a pattern before breaking it, creating surprise, tension, or emotional weight.
Try this: Write a scene where a character repeats a daily routine (“The same coffee. The same empty chair. The same silence.”), then introduce a disruption that forces change.
Use repetition to create contradictions and internal conflicts in characters.
Repeating a certainty (“Of course it was over. Of course it had to be.”) followed by hesitation (“And yet…”) reflects a character’s internal conflict between logic and emotion.
Try this: Write a character’s decision scene where they repeat a belief they try to convince themselves of (“I don’t love her. I don’t love her.”), only to contradict it with an action that proves otherwise.
Use repetition to show the power of lies
Writers can use repetition to draw attention to how language shapes perception, whether through deception, persuasion, or reassurance.
Try this: Write a passage where a character repeats a comforting phrase to someone else (“Everything will be fine.”), but their internal thoughts contradict it, revealing doubt or guilt.
Use repetition to reflect and critique social attitudes and norms
Writers can use repeated gestures, phrases, or reactions from a group to criticize social norms, hypocrisy, or apathy.
Try this: Describe a setting where people repeatedly ignore a problem (“They looked away. They all looked away.”) to show complacency.
Make repetition purposeful
Repetition isn’t just about repeating words. Repetition is about what effect and impact it has on the reader.
Does it build rhythm and reinforce a theme?
Does it mirror a character’s emotional state or internal conflict?
Does it draw attention to societal patterns or norms?
Does it create a contrast between expectation and reality?
When used intentionally, repetition adds depth, resonance, and psychological weight to a story that makes it more immersive and emotionally compelling.
How does Chopin infuse the story with allusions to enhance the themes?
Chopin’s use of allusion adds layers of meaning to the story. It connects the personal story of the dead girl to broader cultural and moral ideas.
For writers, allusion offers a way to connect the specific to the universal. By drawing on cultural or literary references, allusions can expand a story’s ideas without explicitly stating its themes.
I found four examples of allusions or symbols that Chopin used in the story to build and highlight the story’s themes.
The Cathedral Tower
The cathedral tower is an allusion to morality and judgement
“Midnight had already rung in the old cathedral tower.”
The mention of a cathedral subtly introduces religious and moral connotations to the story. Cathedrals are traditionally associated with divine judgment, truth, and morality, which contrasts with Doctor Chevalier’s decision to lie.
Midnight symbolizes an ending and a beginning and suggests the themes of life and death.
The cathedral’s presence suggests a moral authority, yet its silence implies that human beings must face and overcome ethical dilemmas.
By placing the moment before Doctor Chevalier’s call at the stroke of midnight, Chopin evokes judgment, confession, and absolution, which are ideas central to religion.
The allusion raises the question: Is Doctor Chevalier’s lie a sin, or is it an act of grace?
The contrast between the permanence of the “old cathedral tower” and the tragic, fleeting life of the dead girl reflects the indifference of institutions have towards individual suffering.
The Arkansas Cabin
The Arkansas cabin is a symbol for The American Dream and the loss of innocence.
“The time was little more than a year ago. The place, a homely cabin down in Arkansas, in which he and a friend had found shelter and hospitality during a hunting expedition.”
“There were others beside. A little sister or two; a father and mother—coarse, and bent with toil, but proud as archangels of their handsome girl, who was too clever to stay in an Arkansas cabin, and who was going away to seek her fortune in the big city.”
The Arkansas cabin is a classic pastoral allusion, a reference to rural innocence and simplicity that is often contrasted with the corruption of the city.
The phrase “who was too clever to stay” recalls the American Dream and the myth that talent and ambition will lead to prosperity. But, in this case, it ultimately leads to the girl’s tragic downfall.
The description of the parents as “proud as archangels” introduces a biblical reference and emphasizes their faith in their daughter’s potential that is then taken away.
The contrast between the warm, family cabin and the cold, indifferent city reflects the tragedy of unattained aspirations. This allusion supports one of Chopin’s recurring themes: women seeking independence are often met with cruel realities.
The Arkansas cabin asks the reader to consider: Was the girl’s tragedy inevitable, or was she a victim of a society that lures women into false promises of success?
The Lock of Hair
The lock of the girl’s hair is an allusion to mourning and keepsakes.
“A lock of hair was sent and other trifles with it.”
When Chopin was writing in the Victorian era, it was common to send locks of hair as mementos of the deceased, especially among the upper class. The practice symbolized remembrance, emotional connection, and an attempt to hold onto the past.
The smallness of the lock of hair compared to the weight of the tragedy emphasizes the fragility of memory and the changing nature of grief. The girl’s family will never know the truth of what happened to their daughter and sister.
Doctor Chevalier, through this act, acts as a gatekeeper of reality by determining how the girl will be remembered.
Letter Writing
When Doctor Chevalier writes a letter to the girl’s family it’s an allusion to storytelling and redefining the truth.
“The following day he wrote a letter. One, doubtless, to carry sorrow, but no shame to the cabin down there in the forest.
“It told that the girl had sickened and died. A lock of hair was sent and other trifles with it. Tender last words were even invented.”
This passage alludes to how history is rewritten to protect the emotions of the living or protect the dignity of the dead. The invention of “tender last words” mirrors the way literature, history, and even journalism reshape narratives to fit societal expectations.
The allusion extends to myth-making, too. Doctor Chevalier becomes an author of an alternate reality and crafts a version of events that will be accepted rather than questioned. The girl becomes a myth that is shrouded in truth and fiction.
The act of rewriting truth connects to larger societal issues of selective memory, censorship, and the subjectivity of history.
The contrast between fact of the girl’s death and fiction of the girl’s peaceful passing highlights the power and the danger of storytelling.
It challenges readers by asking: Are we comforted more by truth or by fiction?
Takeaways for writers who want to use allusions in their writing
Allusions add layers of meaning without over-explaining everything
Chopin never explicitly states that the cathedral represents judgment or that the girl’s fate critiques the American Dream. She allows readers to make those connections for themselves.
Writer’s Tip: Use allusions subtle and trust readers to recognize deeper themes.
Allusions create emotional and intellectual depth
By referencing cultural practices and beliefs (religion, mourning rituals, pastoral life), Chopin taps into universal experiences that make the story more relatable, especially for audiences during her time.
Writer’s Tip: Consider how a reference to a historical event, religious symbol, or literary trope could deepen your story’s impact.
Allusions can challenge narrative assumptions readers may have
The cathedral suggests moral clarity, but the story proves morality is complex. The Arkansas cabin represents hope, but reality delivers tragedy.
Writer’s Tip: Use allusions to challenge assumptions rather than reinforce them.
Final Thought
Chopin’s use of allusion transforms “Doctor Chevalier’s Lie” into a meditation on truth, memory, and morality. Through religious references, the illusion of success, social traditions of mourning, and the nature of storytelling, she forces readers to confront difficult questions:
Is Dr. Chevalier’s lie an act of mercy or manipulation?
Do we shape history out of compassion or out of fear?
Are some truths better left untold?
By infusing these allusions within a short, short story, Chopin ensures that its impact lingers long after the final line.
How does Chopin construct complex characters that engage readers?
What ultimately keeps readers invested in “Doctor Chevalier’s Lie” is the moral complexity of its eponymous character, Doctor Chevalier.
Doctor Chevalier is both compassionate and practical. His choice to lie about the girl’s death is not presented as right or wrong. His act of grace and respect is human. His actions reveal a character that is quietly defiant of society’s expectations and who operates within his own moral understanding.
Through small, deliberate choices, Doctor Chevalier becomes a character readers can empathize with even if they don’t agree with him.
For writers, characterization isn’t about making characters likable. (Sometimes that’s the worst thing a writer could do to their character.) It’s about making them understandable, more human. Actions, dialogue, and moral dilemmas are tools that bring characters to life and keep readers engaged.
Humans, like characters, are walking, talking contradictions. The more characters contain multitudes of beliefs, opinions, and behaviors, the more engaging the characters are for readers.
Let’s take a look at a few examples of how Chopin makes Doctor Chevalier engaging for the reader.
Doctor Chevalier is emotionally detached from the girl and his routine experience with death
“The quick report of a pistol rang through the quiet autumn night. It was no unusual sound in the unsavory quarter where Dr. Chevalier had his office. Screams commonly went with it. This time there had been none.”
This opening immediately characterizes Doctor Chevalier as someone who has become desensitized to violence and death. The indifferent tone shows that he expects these incidents and that he has witnessed similar tragedies before.
His detachment draws the reader in by asking: Why is this doctor so unemotional about something as shocking as a gunshot?
Readers are compelled to learn more about Doctor Chevalier’s mindset. Is he a cold and indifferent person? Or, does his restraint have a deeper purpose?
Doctor Chevalier’s realizes the death of the girl is personal
“Yet it was not the same. Certainly she was dead: there was the hole in the temple where she had sent the bullet through. Yet it was different.”
The repetition of “yet” shows a shift in his perception. This case isn’t a routine tragedy like he is used to.
The quick acknowledgment and assessment of her gunshot wound is clinical and factual.
The contrast between the cold, professional assessment and the personal recognition of the girl’s identity creates an emotional pull for the reader because it hints at an emotional pull for Doctor Chevalier.
Readers now feel the impact of this discovery and ask: What will Doctor Chevalier do now that this death is no longer just another case?
The line builds intrigue and anticipation for the reader and makes the reader emotionally invested in what Doctor Chevalier does next.
The contrast between the girl’s past and present
“The time was little more than a year ago. The place, a homely cabin down in Arkansas, in which he and a friend had found shelter and hospitality during a hunting expedition.
“There were others beside. A little sister or two; a father and mother—coarse, and bent with toil, but proud as archangels of their handsome girl, who was too clever to stay in an Arkansas cabin, and who was going away to seek her fortune in the big city.”
The “homely” description of the cabin and the parents’ pride “as archangels of their handsome girl” create an emotional connection between the reader and the girl and makes her tragic fate even more poignant.
The phrase “too clever to stay” conveys ambition and hope, but also foreshadows the girl’s tragic end.
By revealing the girl’s past through Doctor Chevalier’s memory, Chopin shifts the focus from the tragedy of her death to her lost potential. This shift makes the loss feel more personal and profound.
Readers now see the girl as more than just a nameless victim. She was a daughter, a sister, someone who had a dream she was pursuing.
This characterization evokes sympathy in the reader and heightens the story’s emotional stakes.
Doctor Chevalier’s decision to be responsible for her burial
“The girl is dead,” said Doctor Chevalier. “I knew her well, and charge myself with her remains and decent burial.”
Doctor Chevalier take control over the situation and chooses to treat the girl with dignity rather than leaving her fate to the authorities. The phrase “I knew her well” shows the personal connection Doctor Chevalier has with the girl, though we can only guess how he knows her. This further motivates his reason for taking care of her remains.
The phrase “charge myself” suggests a sense of duty and personal obligation, rather than fulfilling a professional responsibility and task.
Readers see Doctor Chevalier’s compassion emerge through his actions, which deepens his complexity as a character. The personal connection adds a twist to the story that rounds the
This moment transforms Doctor Chevalier from an observer to a participant, from a side character to a main character, and making the reader more invested in his choices.
The justification for Doctor Chevalier’s lie
“The following day he wrote a letter. One, doubtless, to carry sorrow, but no shame to the cabin down there in the forest.
“It told that the girl had sickened and died. A lock of hair was sent and other trifles with it. Tender last words were even invented.”
Doctor Chevalier purposefully creates a false but more comforting version of the truth and chooses to spare the girl’s family from disgrace rather than delivering the harsh reality.
The phrase “tender last words were even invented” ever so subtly reveals his internal conflict. He knows he is lying, but he does so out of mercy and a belief the reader will never know.
The emergence of Doctor Chevalier’s internal conflict raises some interesting questions for readers about his actions:
Is this deception justified?
Is protecting the family’s memory of her more important than the truth?
What would the girl have wanted?
His struggle between honesty and compassion makes him a complex and engaging protagonist.
Society’s reactions to Doctor Chevalier’s actions
“Of course it was noised about that Doctor Chevalier had cared for the remains of a woman of doubtful repute. Shoulders were shrugged. Society thought of cutting him. Society did not, for some reason or other, so the affair blew over.”
The phrase “Of course it was noised” reveals how society judges both the girl and Dr. Chevalier’s involvement in the girl’s death. With every tragedy, society must whisper conspiracy theories. But, society does nothing.
The phrase “shoulders were shrugged” suggests apathy, hypocrisy, and the short-lived nature of public opinion.
Readers are presented with a contrast between Doctor Chevalier’s dilemma with society’s indifference. This contrast makes readers more sympathetic toward Doctor Chevalier.
This passage raises bigger questions about how people and society at large define morality and whether truth and dignity are mutually exclusive of each other or are even valued in society.
A few takeaways for developing characterization
Contrast detachment with personal investment
Introduce a character as emotionally distant, then break that distance to engage the reader.
Use a character’s past to deepen emotional impact for the reader
Reveal who they were before the story’s events to create sympathy and loss.
Show character through actions, not just thoughts
Doctor Chevalier never explains why he lies. His actions reveal his motivations.
Make readers question your character’s choices
Moral dilemmas and contrasting choices force readers to engage with the story on a deeper level.
Final Thought: Why Characterization Makes This Story Enduring
Chopin uses characterization to elevate the story beyond a simple moral dilemma. She draws readers into the deeply personal and psychological struggles of her protagonist.
Doctor Chevalier’s initial detachment, his moment of recognition, and his quiet decision to lie all reveal layers of complexity that make him more than just a passive observer. As the story progresses, Doctor Chevalier becomes a character forced to reconcile duty, compassion, and truth in a society that is indifferent.
What makes the story engaging is that Chopin never explicitly tells the reader how to feel about Doctor Chevalier. Instead, his choices invite interpretation:
Is he a noble man shielding a grieving family from unnecessary pain?
Is he a man who has taken it upon himself to create a new truth regardless of its implications?
Does his final act reveal human kindness or the dangerous power of a revisionist memory?
This ambiguity is what makes Doctor Chevalier such an engaging character. Like the old adage, his actions speak louder than his words, and Chopin trusts readers to wrestle with his decisions.
For writers, Chopin’s simple story is a masterclass in subtle yet powerful use of characterization. Rather than relying on internal monologue, Chopin builds depth through contrast and choices. Doctor Chevalier’s restraint makes his final actions all the more compelling and proving that sometimes what a character does not say is just as powerful as what they do.
Your Turn: Readers & Writers Workshop
Tools for Readers: The Internal vs. External Character Test
Goal: To help readers analyze and evaluate how well a writer aligns a character’s internal emotions with their external actions in a story.
By applying this test to any story, readers can:
Identify when a character’s external behavior contrasts with their true feelings, which creates tension and subtext.
Understand how writers reveal emotion through action, dialogue, and body language instead of direct narration.
Evaluate whether a character’s decisions feel authentic and consistent with their personality and past experiences.
How it works:
Step 1: Choose a key scene to analyze
Select a pivotal moment in the story where a character:
Faces an important decision
Experiences an intense emotion
Interacts in a significant way with another character
Example from “Doctor Chevalier’s Lie”
Doctor Chevalier chooses to lie in his letter to the girl’s family is a critical moment. His external action (writing the letter) must align with or contrast with his internal conflict (protecting the family’s memory vs. telling the truth).
Step 2: Break the scene into internal vs. external actions or moments
Use a two-column chart to separate:
Internal - What’s happening in the character’s mind and emotions?
External - What do they physically do, say, or express?
Step 3: Identify the relationship between internal and external conflict
Now, ask yourself:
Does the character’s external behavior match their internal emotions?
Does the author rely on subtext instead of explicitly stating emotions?
Are there moments where the character’s actions reveal something deeper than their words do?
Common Patterns to Look For
Characters who hide their emotions by saying one thing but feel another.
Characters whose actions betray their words.
Characters who hesitate before making a decision.
Characters who deflect through humor or sarcasm.
Example from “Doctor Chevalier’s Lie”
He does not explicitly state his guilt, but his choice to handle the burial and rewrite the truth shows he feels personally responsible.
The fact that he “invents tender last words” implies he believes the family needs closure more than they need honesty. This action reveals his internal justification for the lie.
Tools for Writers: The Allusion Context Map
Goal: To help writers purposefully incorporate allusions into their stories to deepen themes, add layers of meaning, and connect their work to a broader literary or cultural conversation.
How it works:
Step 1: Identify the theme or idea from your story
Before deciding on an allusion, determine what core idea or theme from your story you want to reinforce.
What emotions do you want your allusion to evoke?
What bigger idea does your story explore (fate, morality, societal judgment, human ambition)?
Does your story have a historical, mythological, or literary parallel that could add depth?
Example from “Doctor Chevalier’s Lie”
The story explores moral ambiguity and judgment, so Chopin subtly alludes to the cathedral tower, which is a symbol of religious authority.
Step 2: Brainstorm and choose a meaningful allusion
Think about a historical, literary, mythological, or religious reference that aligns with your theme.
Direct allusions explicitly mentioning a name, event, or text.
Indirect allusions are implied through setting, character arcs, or symbolic objects.
Examples of different types of allusions
Biblical: A character facing extreme suffering may mirror Job.
Mythological: A woman whose ambitions lead to her downfall might reflect Icarus.
Literary: A character retreating from society could subtly reference The Scarlet Letter’s Hester Prynne.
Example from “Doctor Chevalier’s Lie”
Chopin’s mention of the cathedral tower is a subtle suggestion of moral authority but the church does nothing. This contrasts the idea of divine justice with the reality of human judgment.
Step 3: Create a context mind map
Now, visualize how your allusion connects to your story and create a mind map (on paper or digitally) with the following branches:
Core Theme – What big idea does your story explore?
Allusion Source – What specific book, myth, or historical event does your allusion draw from?
Symbolism in Your Story – How does your allusion appear (characters, objects, setting)?
Emotional Impact – What feeling do you want the reader to associate with it?
For each of these branches, brainstorm connections to your story. Connections could be to characters, events, scenes, moments, dialogue, actions, etc.
Example from “Doctor Chevalier’s Lie”
Core Theme: Judgment and morality.
Allusion Source: Cathedrals are places of religious moral authority.
Symbolism in the Story: The cathedral tower marks the passing of time and suggests an unseen moral judge that does not intervene.
Emotional Impact: The reader feels the emptiness of societal morality, as justice for the girl is absent.
Step 4: Weave the allusion into the story
Now that you’ve chosen an allusion and built its context, you can integrate it seamlessly into your writing.
Use Setting: A character standing before a crumbling church might hint at a loss of faith or a crisis of faith.
Use Character Parallels: A character who defies fate might echo Prometheus.
Use Symbolic Objects: A birdcage could symbolize restriction, like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
Let the allusion enhance the story naturally rather than forcing the connection.
Example from “Doctor Chevalier’s Lie”
Instead of explaining the cathedral’s significance, Chopin mentions it at midnight. This allows readers to connect the themes of judgment, morality, and fate on their own.
The Allusion Context Map helps writers purposefully incorporate deeper levels of meaning into their work. Doing so makes their stories richer and more thought-provoking. Whether you’re writing a short story, novel, or flash fiction, intentionally choosing allusions can:
Strengthen themes.
Connect your work to a larger literary or cultural conversation.
Engage readers who enjoy uncovering deeper meanings.
Writing Prompt to Practice Subtle Repetition, Allusion, and Characterization
It’s time for you to put pen to paper, finger to keyboard, and rewrite reality. But at what cost? After reading and studying “Doctor Chevalier’s Lie,” write a short, short scene using the same devices as Chopin.
The essence of Chopin’s story is that a single decision, such as choosing to alter the truth, reveals more about the character than the lie itself. So, let’s play with that concept and see how far we can take it.
Think about a character who must choose between honesty and deception. Maybe they must deliver bad news to a loved one. Maybe they are writing a speech that rewrites history in their favor. Maybe they are giving a final confession but cannot bring themselves to tell the whole truth.
Write a story of 1,000 words or less exploring how your character rationalizes their choice to alter the truth. Are they doing it for protection, for power, or for peace of mind?
Include the following devices in your story:
Subtle Repetition: Echo key phrases or ideas to reinforce inner conflict or create a sense of inevitability. Use a repeated gesture, phrase, or image that gains new meaning as the story unfolds.
Allusion: Weave in historical, literary, or religious references to deepen the theme of morality, deception, or fate.
Does your character compare themselves to someone famous?
Do they feel like a tragic hero?
Characterization Through Action: Rather than stating their feelings, show the character’s hesitation, certainty, or guilt through action.
Do they pause before speaking?
Cross out words in a letter?
Avoid eye contact?
Add a Moment of Realization: End with the character’s moment of understanding but not necessarily closure.
Do they justify the lie?
Regret it?
Do they ever fully believe their own falsehood?
I created a Google Doc of the prompt for you to use as you wish, click HERE. Make sure to make a copy.
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