Trope Talk: Fates Worse Than Death

I agree that for this trope it usually is fine for the very bad thing to be generic, but I think you missed out on a chance to talk about the worldbuilding and/or character values that can be shown by having the fate worse than death be non-generic. For example, you could see the differences in characters’ and audiences’ reactions to a fate where the character is mind controlled to cut off their own leg vs. being mind controlled to kill someone else. Is the character less worthy of trust or morally tainted if they did something evil under mind control? Or you could show particular cultural values, e.g., demonstrating the weight and values behind an honor system alien to the audience. And there’s the question of choices. Will the protagonist accept eternal torture to achieve their goals but run for the hills if the BBEG has a way to destroy their memories? If the character has a choice between a particular fate “worse than death” and death, will they choose death? Does it matter to the character if they think it will be temporary? And will they change their mind if the stakes change?

I do love the Trope Talks! Thank you!

you say all that in the beginning but in the series RWBY MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT they just offed one of the four main characters out of nowhere

Thanks for being so dang awesome, Red! Please let me know if you'd ever like my perspective on psychological topics in your work (I have a PhD and am a licensed practitioner, brag brag).

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