The Art of Subversion: When and How to Defy Expectations in Storytelling

Subversion is one of the most powerful tools in a writer’s arsenal—but also one of the easiest to misuse. When done well, subversion can create unforgettable moments, deepen themes, and elevate storytelling to masterful levels. When done poorly, it can alienate audiences, disrupt narratives, and feel like a cheap trick.

So, how do you know when to use subversion? And how do you judge whether your subversion is actually good? Let’s break it down.

What is Subversion?

Subversion is the act of setting up an audience expectation—whether through genre conventions, tropes, or foreshadowing—and then flipping it in a way that surprises them. However, not all subversion is created equal.

Bad vs. Good Subversion

• Bad subversion is reactionary, existing purely for shock value without deeper meaning or narrative cohesion.

• Good subversion is intentional, reinforcing the story’s themes, enhancing character development, and leading to a satisfying payoff.

Questions to Ask Before Using Subversion

Before deciding to subvert an expectation, consider the following:

1. Why do I want to subvert this expectation?

• Am I doing this just to shock the audience?

• Does the expectation feel stale or overused?

• Do I see a more meaningful or compelling alternative?

2. What is the audience expecting, and why?

• Does this expectation serve a crucial role in the genre’s appeal?

• Would changing it enhance or weaken the experience?

• Is the expectation well-established within the story?

3. What effect will this subversion have on the audience?

• Will it deepen engagement and investment?

• Will it provide a meaningful emotional or thematic payoff?

• Could it backfire and make them feel cheated or disengaged?

4. Does the subversion still serve the core of the story?

• Does it strengthen the narrative or just make it different?

• Does it align with the established character arcs and themes?

• Will it disrupt story cohesion?

5. If I remove the subversion, does the story suffer?

• If not, why am I forcing it in?

• If yes, does the subversion meaningfully improve what’s already there?

Questions to Judge Subversion After Writing It

Once you’ve written the subversion, assess whether it works using these questions:

1. Is it foreshadowed enough that, in hindsight, it makes sense?

• Are there clues throughout the story that support the twist?

• Will the audience feel it was inevitable rather than random?

2. Does it add to the story rather than just undermine it?

• Does it introduce new, engaging conflicts?

• Does it make the audience care more about what happens next?

• Does it open up deeper thematic exploration?

3. Does it strengthen character development?

• How does this subversion affect the characters?

• Does it force them into meaningful choices or growth?

• Does it contradict their established development in a bad way?

4. Does it respect the genre or narrative structure?

• Would fans of this genre still enjoy it, even with the subversion?

• Does it reject tropes just to be contrarian, or does it create something better?

5. Does it lead to a satisfying payoff?

• Does it make the resolution stronger?

• Does it enhance emotional impact or leave the audience empty?

• Will the audience feel it was worth the journey?

The Final Litmus Test

If this subversion were removed, would the story be weaker, or would it just be more conventional?

• If the answer is weaker, the subversion is likely well-integrated and meaningful.

• If the answer is just more conventional, the subversion might be unnecessary.

Mastering the Art of Subversion

Subversion is not about defying expectations for the sake of it—it’s about making choices that elevate your story. The best subversions feel inevitable in hindsight, reinforce the story’s core themes, and lead to a greater narrative payoff. The worst ones exist only to pull the rug out from under the audience, leaving them frustrated instead of fulfilled.

By using these questions as a guide, you can ensure that when you subvert expectations, you do so with purpose, precision, and impact.