Boredom is invariably portrayed in both film and literature as something that is painful or to be avoided at all costs. Are there any positive portrayals of boredom? What is it about boredom that hurts us so much? Is there something useful in being bored and, if so, how would that be portrayed and made entertaining to a reader or cinema goer?
Hmm, this is an interesting topic that is not typically discussed. When describing the term boredom, you need to provide a working definition to avoid is misconception as melancholy, depression, etc. I think this is a pretty interesting topic...I hope someone does take this! You have provided some insight, but also enough room for vast expansion and explication of a "mood" not discussed in a manner isolated from a possible state of depression, grief, mood disorder, etc.
– danielle5776 years ago
Good points. Thanks. I definitely had in mind something distinct from mental states of depression, grief, etc., I think whoever took on this article would have to navigate both carefully and sensitively the conflation of boredom with depictions of melancholy. Then again, would these types of depiction be all that different? I'm not sure. Maybe there's something to explore there. Personally, I would lean toward exploring positive representations of boredom. The only person I've read that approaches this is David Foster Wallace in 'The Pale King'. – JM6 years ago
Just reading this makes me realize that I've seen people act bored in a movie or TV show and not really thought about it. How it matters to the development of a story might be interesting or even if there have been changes in how it is presented over time. – Joseph Cernik6 years ago