1 day ago
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In The Art of Fiction, John Gardner suggests that a fictional story can end in only one of two ways:
1) resolution (no further event can take place; if we could think of another event, it would rather be the beginning of a new story);
2) logical exhaustion (the stage of infinite repetition: more events could follow, but they would all result in the same thing; this type of conclusion reveals that the character’s supposed exercise of free will was illusory).
Obviously, resolution is more common in fiction (all the novels that end with marriage, or the whole mystery genre built around finding and punishing the criminal). Besides, resolution is more emotionally satisfying and optimistic, and Garder also points that out.
As for logical exhaustion, the idea that whatever characters do, it will not matter since the feeling of control they have over their life is an illusion, is deeply disturbing, but art doesn't owe the reader catharsis even though cathartic endings would be the most satisfying.
Do you agree with Gardner’s classification?
What are some examples of the ending by logical exhaustion that come to mind? Do you think contemporary fiction still prefers resolution to logical exhaustion?
And what if the novel ends with the suicide of the main character? Is it ever cathartic or does it depend on the reader's viewpoint?
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