S30E2 - Rags to Riches

Rags to Riches has long been a popular trope in fiction. It occasionally falls out of favor (especially during times of widespread poverty), but always makes a comeback. Part of that is because of the intrinsic hope of people to rise to higher stations. Most stories that contain this plot trope, though, also come with a fall to teach the dangers of wealth.

Some stories you may be familiar with that have a rags to riches story include Cinderella, My Fair Lady, Great Gatsby, and The Greatest Showman. All are different takes on a story with the same basic structure: character falls into wealth (whether through inheritance, luck, marriage, or hard work) and finds themselves thrown into a new life. For some reason, though, they are pulled back to their old life or suffer a downfall from that wealth and a crumbling of their old life.

In this episode, we break down how to use this trope to build your own rags to riches story that will include good characters and realistic arcs.

First aired March 7, 2022.