Ever had a story stick with you long after you’ve experienced it, but couldn’t figure out why? Chances are, it had a powerful Keystone Message – something you resonated with on a level far deeper than mere entertainment…
Let’s remove the mystery by learning how to identify a story’s Keystone Message so you can understand what gives it that lasting emotional impact.
Understanding the Keystone Message.
Imagine a magnificent arch, like the ones Roman Emperors built to celebrate their victories. That whole structure relies on a single, perfectly placed stone at the top – the keystone.
Likewise, a Story Keystone is the central message, that holds a narrative together. It’s the reason your characters are facing conflict. It’s the emotional core that lingers in your psyche long after the story ends.
I’ve written about what a Story Keystone is in much more depth elsewhere, but by now, you probably just want to know how to uncover these hidden gems for yourself.
How to Identify a Story’s Keystone Message.
Sometimes a story resonates with you, and you’re not sure why. Other times, you might want to reverse-engineer that feeling to strengthen your own writing and storytelling.
These methods (in no particular order) will help you uncover the Keystone Message of any good story!
Immerse Yourself in the Story.
Read or watch with full attention. Absorb as much information as you can. Soak in the story’s world, feel the emotions, and pay attention to what stands out – from scenes and character arcs to your own emotional reactions.
That initial immersion lays the foundation for deeper insight and understanding of the story you’re analysing.
Identify Central Themes.
What ideas or questions is the story really exploring? Redemption, freedom, identity, loyalty, fear of change? Question what recurring ideas tug at your heartstrings or spark intellectual curiosity.
Tip: Theme and message aren’t the same. The message is the core idea the story delivers. Themes are broader topics – like freedom, love, or identity – that provide context.
Look for Patterns.
Pay close attention to recurring motifs, symbols, and imagery. These often act as signposts pointing towards the Story Keystone. Is there a persistent animal, a symbolic object, or a colour that seems to hold extra significance?
Deciphering these patterns can unlock deeper meaning.
Consider Conflict and Resolution.
What’s the core conflict, and how is it resolved? Do the characters learn something? Sacrifice something? Grow? The Keystone Message often lives in that journey from struggle to outcome.
By understanding the journey through conflict, you gain insights into the core message about overcoming challenges.
Explore the Subtext.
Sometimes the loudest messages are whispered, or hinted at. Listen to the whispers between the lines. There can be a lot given away in what isn’t directly said. What remains unsaid, yet deeply felt?
Consider the emotions implied but not explicitly stated. Sometimes, the most powerful Story Keystones lie just below the surface, waiting to be unearthed by an attentive audience.
Relate It to Real Life.
How does the story connect to your own experiences – or to universal human struggles? If it reflects something real, it’s probably saying something meaningful.
This connection between fiction and reality helps illuminate the message the storyteller is trying to convey.
Reflect on the Impact.
What stayed with you after the story ended? A sense of wonder? Loss? Motivation? Ponder the lasting impression the story leaves on you.
That emotional residue is often your clearest clue.
Summarise the Message.
Try putting the story’s core idea into one sentence. If it sounds like something a wise character might say at the end, you’re on the right track.
This simple act of crystallising your understanding makes it clearer and allows you to share it with others.
Compare Multiple Themes.
Stories are rarely one-dimensional. Consider the possibility of multiple themes weaving together to create a mosaic of meaningful matter. Explore how these themes interact, complement, or even contradict each other, contributing to the overall message in their intricate interplay.
Understanding how the story’s themes intertwine can sharpen your view of the story’s message.
Classic Examples of Keystone Messages.
There are many types of Keystone Messages found in stories, so let’s see a few examples that you’d have most likely heard of.
Star Wars: A New Hope.
Hope, guided by faith in something beyond the visible, is a transformative force that empowers individuals to overcome challenges, believe in their potential, and create positive change.
“Remember, the Force will be with you always.”
– Obi-Wan Kenobi
Jurassic Park.
Attempting to play god and manipulate nature’s course can lead to dangers, unintended consequences, and ethical challenges.
“Don’t you see the danger, John, inherent in what you’re doing here? Genetic power is the most awesome force the planet’s ever seen, but you wield it like a kid that’s found his dad’s gun.”
– Dr Ian Malcolm
Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
The pursuit of knowledge and power should not come at the expense of disregarding the historical and cultural value of artefacts or endangering lives.
“You and I are very much alike. Archeology is our religion, yet we have both fallen from the pure faith. Our methods have not differed as much as you pretend. I am but a shadowy reflection of you. It would take only a nudge to make you like me. To push you out of the light.”
– Belloq
Ideally, you should be familiar with all three of those movies, and if not, what a treat you have in store. I’d love to experience them for the first time again, as I was too young to truly appreciate them the first time around!
Discover Story Keystones for Yourself
Using these methods to engage with a story on multiple levels, you transform yourself from passive spectator to active interpreter – someone who uncovers the deeper meaning behind every great tale.
So go on – get stuck in and see what Story Keystones you can unearth! Once you’ve uncovered a few Keystone Messages, you’ll start seeing them everywhere – and crafting them in your own stories too.
BONUS TIP.
Keep a notebook or digital file just for this practice. Jot down thoughts, feelings, and quotes as you go. These reflections become a valuable resource, especially if you’re crafting your own stories later on.
Happy storytelling!
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