| abstract | - Freedom -- it's one of the most important items on the list of things characters want. After all, you have to be free to pursue love or adventure or anything else you want in the first place. But as every patriotic song out there tells you, freedom doesn't come free. Thus, you have to work and/or suffer long and hard to get it, which gives you the plot of your story. It's not uncommon for the characters that obtain their freedom to have to work to remain free as well. There may be an entire nation of people fighting to be free from The Empire and their Evil Overlord. There may be some force or regime keeping everyone from doing what they want, in which case, it might be necessary to ask some questions, such as "why is the government so petty", or is it that "Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters"? This can also be said of real life: part of the reason that we have governments and armies is to keep the perceived freedoms of some from impeding on those of others (whether they are or not oppressive, in real life as in fiction, is a crapshoot). Individuals who just want to be free include:
* Imprisoned inmates, especially ones who are innocent and thus more worthy of audience sympathy.
* Slaves, of the traditional and magical kind.
* The latter includes genies.
* Refugees, which provides the perfect set-up for Batman in My Basement.
* Women -- This is the motivation of the Rebellious Princess, Runaway Fiance (along with Marry for Love), and (in darker stories) Sex Slaves. So, how is freedom usually won? Indentured slaves or contractually-bound victims might make a deal with their master and perform some task for which they will be set free as a reward. Or "deal with" them. Another tactic is simply running away, changing your name, and starting a new life, hoping your past doesn't catch up with you... at least until you've recovered your strength and gathered forces to return and rescue everyone else. Marriage has an interesting role in the process, as it can be portrayed as a form of imprisonment (especially if it's an Arranged Marriage) or as an escape, such as a Citizenship Marriage. Oddly, chances are very good that The Hero of the piece will be an ally aiding the victim (if not falling in love with him/her) as much as being the person actually struggling for freedom. If there is a Magnetic Hero, expect this whole "freedom" thing to catch on, because for some reason the other characters simply lacked the will or the power to act on their own. If characters have to obtain the ability to be free, compare Earn Your Happy Ending. If The Masquerade blocks freedom, it may be obtained by The Unmasqued World Examples of I Just Want to Be Free include:
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