What is Fable Like Tone in a Film?
Every fable has some sort of a moral lesson about it that comes in at the end of the story. You might recall fables from literature, or from the Bible. As well as from the stories that we all grew up with as children. But what about in film? Knowing how to recognize when a film has a fable like tone is important! Especially for someone that’s aspiring to perfect screenwriting. Which involves incorporating all of these unique literary lessons into filmmaking. But what is a fable like tone in a film and how can it be spotted?
Not to be confused with fairy tales, fables typically represent short stories that teach important lessons of moral character. From the literary use of Aesop’s fables to teach everything.
From the importance of never giving up to the fact that kindness wins over people. To the biblical fables which teach about the importance of how to act. Fables are present in a variety of works and may even be in the film.
What is a Fable Like Tone in Film?
A film is said to have a fable-like tone if it can be characterized as delivering some sort of moral lesson through its narrative. Many films that represent folklore.
Which gives viewers a unique perspective on the difference between right and wrong, may be considered fable-like.
But, what is a fable-like tone in film? And how can someone that is entirely new to cinema study determine if a film is in fact fable-like?
Films that are fable-like will have central characteristics of a fable which include:
- Symbolism in which fictional characters act as stand-ins for humans. Such that the misadventures of the characters have the purpose of symbolizing human behavior.
- Humor in which there is a bit of silliness seen around the mere foolishness of human nature.
- Unique lessons in morals, generally arising at the end of the story.
- Anthropomorphization in which animals and other objects. Such as the sun or the moon may be given human-like qualities and traits.
Key Message
So, what is a fable like tone in film? It’s a film that has an underlying narrative. Guided by the central elements of a fable. Symbolism, humor, lessons, and anthropomorphization. Such that the story ends with a key message of moral character.
Examples of Films with a Fable Like Tone
Additionally, many films that are produced for children will have a fable-like tone about them.
You might recall some of the following Disney films known to represent fables:
- Beauty and the Beast
- Sleeping Beauty
- Maleficent
- Tangled
Anthropomorphism
Some even said that parts of The Wizard of Oz had a fable like tone. Because there were characters within the story that represented anthropomorphization. Symbols are in use throughout the film.
Moreover, they were meant to represent various elements of society at the time. And there was the lesson in the end. Many films over the years have been said to have a fable-like tone.
Common Elements
Furthermore, for a film to have a fable-like tone it must show the author was seeking to use the common elements of fable-like storytelling to guide the film’s narrative.
Many films that possess a fable-like tone will cause the viewer to connect closely with the message of morals, character, and underlying values that the filmmakers wish for the audience to understand.
So, what is fable-like tone in a film? It’s the presence of fable-like characteristics including moral lessons, anthropomorphization of animals or objects, symbolism and humor to deliver the desired connection to a story-line or narrative that packs a powerful message in the end.
