In which we're talking MacGuffins
Ah, the MacGuffin. One of those writerly things that all readers are aware of but don't necessarily know they are. Alfred Hitchcock is credited with coining the phrase, and although it may predate his work, he certainly popularised the concept. The MacGuffin, quite simply, is the device that moves the plot forward. It can be an idea, an object, a person, but whatever it is, it lies at the heart of the protagonist's quest. The MacGuffin may be serious or whimsical; it may be vitally important or a bit trivial. It may start as the central point of the plot and peter off or it may hold center stage for the whole of the story. It could be the photograph of Irene Adler and the King of Bohemia, a purloined letter, a missing heiress, a Maltese falcon. It is, in fact, nothing and everything. (One clever usage in a Christmas romance novella had the hero and heroine sleuthing out Chinese codes in the season's hottest toy, a Major MacGuffin action figure. I wish I could remember who wrote it because it was hilarious and very aptly named.)
Storytellers disagree on the importance of the MacGuffin itself. Hitchcock never felt the MacGuffin was significant to the reader (viewer, in his case), while George Lucas has been quoted as saying it is tremendously important that the audience cares about the MacGuffin. Arguments can be made for both, but what is absolutely essential is that the storyteller cares. Essential, people. The MacGuffin can't just be something you toss in because you think it sounds good.
Yesterday I skimmed a book that was VILE. The book was titled after its MacGuffin and it could have been brilliant. However, the writer apparently decided he was entirely bored with it and discussed it twice. In the entire book. And never in detail, mind you. He never explained why exactly this particular MacGuffin would be worth killing for, although he clearly adored spilling blood on practically every page. I was never more grateful in my life that I had used the library and not paid money for something printed between two covers. I was seriously foaming at the mouth when I was finished. A MacGuffin ought to be treated with respect if you are creating anything that is supposed to be taken seriously. This was not a farce; it was a thriller. To me that means the MacGuffin ought to have been treated with care, with a touch of reverence or at least interest on the part of the writer. He was obviously blase about his MacGuffin, so guess what? I was too.
And say what you like about Dan Brown--and people do say plenty--he does tie his MacGuffins very tightly to his plot. His passion for art and puzzles and history is evident and I think it's that passion that people respond to.
What about you, chickens? Any favorite MacGuffins?
Comments
McGuffins
Just sent my comment into cyber space--here goes again---
If I had to pick my all time favorite classical literature MacGuffin it would be Moby Dick, the MacGuffin of all MacGuffins, but I have two other very special favorites, one from Victoria Holt's THE PRIDE OF THE PEACOCK, it's legendary fabulous Australlian opal, made up of hues of blue, turquoise, purples greens reds etc etc. The green flash at sunset is a phenomenon seen the waters of the Southern Hemisphere, just after the sun sets below the horizen and at some times, just for such a minutiae of a second one questions it's reality, a green light flashes across the waters from the horizen and is gone.The Australian opal of Victoria Holt's story also contains such a flash within it's firey makeup, and equally as elusive, has always been to me one of the most ingenious and imaginative MacGuffin's of literature and one of those literary creations that to me came from a stroke of genius.
My other favorite MacGuffin comes from one of Mary Stewart's novels, MY BROTHER MICHAEL ---the "Bright Citidal" (sp) that the Michael of the title writes home about. And since one has to read the book through to find out what it is, I will go no further.
One more, the MacGuffin in CHARADE with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant--which for some reason my sister and I have found lately to be a little dated--However--the MacGuffin in the movie is some money Audrey Hepburn's dead husband did something with, and it's another one you have to wait until the end to find out what it is, but it's another really ingeniuos MacGuffin.
One last note: I was going over in my mind DRTD last night, thinking of the character of the murderer, and got fascinated with trying to remember all the ins and outs of the plot and remembered you had said that watching soaps had helped you with plotting---I have only gotten so far in remembering the plot of the book, but i have to say, I must agree with you!!
Oh, I remember
the green flash at sunset! Victoria Holt always did interesting MacGuffins.
Interesting!
Thanks for the education on MacGuffins! I, too, recently read a book that was thoroughly disappointing for the exact reasons you described above. Never, in all my life, have I been more relieved to be finished with a book (yes, I made myself muddle through to the end). Thank heavens it was a free download!
Interesting that Jennifer Crusie was mentioned in the comments. A dear friend, whom I lovingly refer to as my “book dealer”, mentioned Crusie recently. Looks like I’ve got a new recommendation to check out!
The Major MacGuffin book
That was Hot Toy by Jennifer Crusie, in the Santa, baby anthology. In case you want to read it again. :)
Thank you!
I thought it was Jennifer Crusie, but then I thought I might have been making it up. Merci!