: Re: what techniques or approaches can I use to explore distasteful concepts while also making them necessary? In my story democracy crumbles in a nation, replaced by a powerful dictatorship. Our world

@Merenda569

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If you wan't to portray a distasteful concept in a way tolerable to the reader, you need to make sure it's a conflict for the characters the reader is supposed to relate to:

A: Look at what we've become. We are slaves!

B: No. We are survivors. Xe showed us how to survive!

A: But we've murdered innocents!

B: We've purged treachery! We did what we had to do!

...

B: ...listen. It's either this or defeat. Them or us.

A: It's wrong.

B: Nyalathotep doesn't give a f#*:k about what's wrong.

B: Just do your damn job.

Even if you don't wan't your story to be about a crusade against fascism you need to make sure that there are at least small acts of rebellion. Something heavy on the shoulders of your characters. Even if inconsequential to the story, it's important to characterize their moral compass. It's not about glorification. It's about drawing a line. The point where it becomes too much.

Sweat running through her forehead, her gun pointed at the thief. He
cried helplessly. Dammit. Why is this happening on my shift?

A: The penalty for theft is death. Are you stupid?

B: Please don't kill me. I'll leave and never come back. Just please
don't shoot me.

A: Stealing from the Party's Granary is stealing from your own people!

B: ...my child is sick. We are starving.

F#{[k! F#{[k! F#{[k!

A: Get out of here!

He stared in disbelief, fear in his eyes. Hardly moving.

A: Are you deaf?! GET OUT, RUN! If I catch you here again I'll shoot
you and your baby.

B: Thank you so m...

A: RUN you miserable bastard!

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