How To Use One of the Best Storytelling Techniques: Deception!

One the most powerful ways to create drama (and humour) in a story is to use deception and disguise. A deception is when a character hides important information from another character. A disguise, where a character assumes a secret persona or identity, is just one particular but vital form of deception. When a writer plays a deception in a story, the audience is often in the superior position (dramatic irony) to most of the characters because it knows the deception.

Deception and disguise were central to much of the best plotted classic literature of the 19th century. Witness their importance in Les Misérables, Cyrano de Bergerac, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Count of Monte Cristo, and A Tale of Two Cities. Crucial to the drama of Les Misérables is parole violator Jean Valjean creating a false identity as an esteemed citizen and so living in fear that his lie will be uncovered by his nemesis, Inspector Javert. If Valjean’s deception/secret is unmasked, he will be destroyed.

The 1940 film The Mark of Zorro dazzles with its use of deception and disguise.

The story opens in sultry Madrid, where Don Diego Vega is training in the arts of war when he is suddenly called back to California by his father, the Alcalde (mayor) of Los Angeles. Diego reluctantly obeys his father. Arriving in California, Diego finds a land under the heavy heel of despotism. His father has been deposed and the new Alcalde, Don Luis Quintero, is a bloodthirsty weakling obsessed with extorting money through heavier and heavier taxes, aided by the cruel and vain Capitan Esteban.

After meeting the villains, Diego assumes his first disguise, Diego the fop. Don Diego now hides his quick, confident laugh, resolute bravery and firm sword hand. He replaces them with a deceiving manicured hand trembling over a handkerchief and a dandy’s concern for scents and the latest satins and silks. Diego slyly tells Capitan Esteban that “swordplay is such a violent business,” then primps himself with his kerchief. Don Luis sneers to Esteban, “That’s one little peacock that won’t give us any trouble.”

After visiting his father, Diego learns that the former Alcalde and the other nobles will not rise up against the law, even if it is now an evil one. But Diego will -- in disguise as the bandit Zorro! Keeping his new identity secret, Diego dons black hat and mask, and atop a black horse liberates taxes stolen from the peons while leaving behind his mark, a slashed “Z.” Note, again, that if Diego’s secret is unmasked he will be destroyed.

The character Don Diego now has three personas in his characterization: The strong (in private) Don Diego, the public foppish Diego, and the swashbuckling Zorro. A protagonist with multiple, conflicting personas is integral to the best costumed hero stories.

For further evidence regarding the dramatic power of deception also consider Clark Kent in the Superman stories. There is the real Clark, a strong and intelligent man mostly only experienced by himself and his parents. Then there is the Clark Kent public disguise, the mild-mannered reporter. And, of course, the public hero in suit and cape, Superman. That’s a complex, layered and dramatic character. A similar three-part complex personality makes up the character Batman.

Having three personas in the lead character is an important reason why Superman, Batman and Zorro are among the most interesting and popular of the costumed heroes. And the characters with the best plots.

Also note how playing a deception/disguise affords the writer great opportunities for humour. In Mark of Zorro, for instance, because the audience knows the deceptions of Zorro and most of the characters do not (dramatic irony), we omnisciently and amusingly understand Zorro’s tricks and ironic wits against his enemies.

Watch the best films that feature disguised heroes and see how much of the great storytelling and dramatic complications result from the deception/disguise/secret of the lead character. Imagine what the Batman, Superman and Zorro stories would be like if they had no deception.

Writing Takeaway

All creatives when developing their stories should always ask themselves key questions about their story idea. Following are five key questions to ask when using Deception and Disguise:

What major deception can I add to one of my main characters?

How can this deception force my character into an internal conflict and create richly ironic and dramatic scenes?

How can my hero use this deception to fight the bad guys?

What are the major threats and stakes re my hero’s deception being uncovered?

How can the deception/dual identity of my hero be used for ironic/comedic effect?

By adding a major deception to your story, you will be using one of the most effective of all the dramatic devices. This will make your story much more entertaining for audiences. And much more attractive to producers, broadcasters, and publishers.

Stories are ideas in action!

© 2022 COPYRIGHT SCOTT MCCONNELL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED