Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: Deus Ex Machina in JY Novels

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    1,202

    Default Deus Ex Machina in JY Novels

    Deux Ex Machina is a phrase meaning "God from the Machine" referring to ancient Greek and Roman theatre in which plays used plot devices which involved lowering "gods" onto the stage to resolve difficult points in the play so that the plot could end in the way the author intended. Generally, it is a phrase referring to plot devices that introduce characters or events that seem highly improbable just to advance the plot to bring resolution to difficult to resolve points in a story.

    One of the famous examples of this is the Janitor Monk in DGSD. Seemingly from out of nowhere, an invincible monk bearing the lowly role of a janitor within Shaolin resolves the 30 year conflicts of the MuRong and Xiao families through incredible martial arts and Buddhism.

    Another could be the sudden appearance of Lady Yang in HSDS who sets ZZR straight eventually leading her to turn back to the side of good temporarily to assist ZWJ in rescuing his foster father.

    Any other examples of Deus Ex Machina in JY or Wuxia novels? And, any opinion whether these can be considered cheesy cop-outs from the author or actual legitmate plot additions?

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    1,027

    Default

    There is also a similar term coined by the director Alfred Hitchcock about plot devices: 'McGuffin' (not totally sure about the spelling). But the McGuffin refers to objects the plot revolves around.

    E.g. the Maltese Falcon, The Ark of the Covenant.

    In in our more familiar Wuxia world:

    The Heavenly Sword & Dragon Sabre
    The Sunflower Manuscript
    9 Yin Manual
    9 Yang Manual
    And so on ...

Similar Threads

  1. Gu Long's 20 Best Novels
    By Temujin in forum Wuxia Fiction
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 07-09-15, 12:24 AM
  2. Adaptations vs Novels
    By Yeung Gor in forum Wuxia Fiction
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-06-06, 05:47 PM
  3. Deus Ex Machina - JY answer to the unexplained...
    By NetDriftr in forum Wuxia Fiction
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 08-07-06, 08:44 AM
  4. Adaptions better than the novels?
    By strife_au in forum Wuxia Fiction
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 05-07-06, 02:56 PM
  5. Reading the novels...
    By Wai Shing in forum Wuxia Fiction
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 02-08-04, 11:55 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •