Plot MechanicsFoundational
Chekhov's Gun
If a story shows a loaded gun, it must eventually fire.
Principle
Significant detail must earn its presence through later use.
Takeaways
- Promised objects, threats, or capabilities must return.
- If it will never fire, do not show it.
- Economy is a form of respect for the reader's attention.
Overview
Chekhov's Gun is the principle that elements given dramatic weight must serve the story. It is stricter than setup and payoff: it forbids ornamental emphasis. The reader's attention is a resource, and unfired guns spend it without return.
Examples
- A poison vial described in act one is used in act three.
- A scar mentioned in passing becomes the proof of identity.
- An overheard threat resolves into the climax.