How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Erroneous judgment

Disciplines > Storytelling > Plots > Polti's Situations > Erroneous judgment

Description | Discussion | See also

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Description

Elements

• The Mistaken One

• The Victim of the mistake

• The Cause or Author of the mistake

• The Guilty Person

Summary

The Mistaken One makes some judgment about or is suspicious about the Victim, instead of the Guilty Person. This is due to some Cause or is caused by the Author of the mistake.

Variants

A

1. Suspicion where faith is necessary
2. False suspicion
3. False suspicions aroused by the a misunderstood attitude of a loved one
4. False suspicions aroused by indifference

B

1. False suspicions drawn upon oneself to save a friend
2. False suspicions fall upon the innocent
3. False suspicions fall upon the innocent spouse of the guilty one
4. False suspicions fall upon an innocent but guilty-intentioned
5. False suspicions fall upon an innocent who believes themselves guilty
6. A witness to a crime, in the interests of loved one, lets accusation fall upon the innocent

C

1. The accusation is allowed to fall upon an enemy
2. The error is provoked by the enemy
3. The mistake is directed against the victim by her brother

D

1. False suspicion thrown by the real culprit upon one of his enemies
2. False suspicion thrown by the real culprit upon the second victim against which he has plotted from the beginning
3. False suspicion thrown upon a rival
4. False suspicion thrown upon an innocent because he has refused to be an accomplice
5. False suspicion thrown by a deserted mistress upon a lover who left her because he would not deceive her husband
6. Struggle to rehabilitate oneself and to avenge a judicial error purposely caused

Discussion

We have a need to explain that which is happened and so will attribute cause or otherwise try to find the guilty person. In our hurry to do so, it is very easy to mistakenly suspect or accuse the wrong person.

In stories false suspicion or accusation is a common theme and many detective stories include the theme of suspecting the wrong person. For the viewer who associates with the falsely accused person, it can be a nail-biting time until the relief of being cleared of all guilt.

'Erroneous judgment' is the 33rd of Georges Polti's 36 Dramatic Situations.

See also