Piercing the Dark: Portraying Joy and Hope in Fiction
Today’s media has become fraught with despair and hatred. So often, we have seen genres fall into glorifying evil or portraying the fact that there’s no true hope or joy to be found in certain situations. Whether a rebel army that fails, the darkness of a dystopian society, or a murderer that seems unconquerable, these stories often end with readers coming away feeling down and depressed. I’ve experienced this dissatisfaction myself on many occasions. Yes, good prevails, but no true relief, joy, and hope are shown. The world is indeed better than before, but in no way is it good. In a world full of darkness, our readers need that hope and joy. Followers of Christ are told to rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16) and to give thanks in all circumstances. No matter how dark the night, hope and joy can always shine through. With that said, how can we accurately portray joy and hope, especially in situations where hope seems futile? How ca...
