Member-only story
The Obsessed Artist
Understanding the power of human potential
You’ve been exposed to the Obsessed Artist Trope, even if you aren’t aware of it. The term refers to a character driven by a relentless passion, to the point where it consumes their life. This trope can be seen across literature, film, and art, depicting characters who are willing to sacrifice almost everything — relationships, stability, even their sanity — in pursuit of their goal.
Why are we drawn to these types of stories? Why are there so many examples? Today, we’ll be looking at 5 depictions of The Obsessed Artist Trope, and find out what these stories can teach us about our own lives.
Black Swan (2010): directed by Darren Aronofsky
“I felt it. Perfect. It was perfect.”
Nina Sayers, professional Ballerina, has always been an idealist, but when she is offered the lead in Swan Lake, this quirk is amplified in a way that can only be described as the pursuit of perfection.
The part requires her to dance in two different roles: The White Swan (timid, gentle, and graceful) and the Black Swan (angry, strong, and…
