# Problem/Solution in Failure Stories

**URL:** <https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/problem-solution-in-failure-stories/1523>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [March 11, 2018, 6:27am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/problem-solution-in-failure-stories/1523 "2018-03-11T06:27:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Hunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba9def/32.png) [@Hunter](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/Hunter)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 6:27am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/problem-solution-in-failure-stories/1523/1 "2018-03-11T06:27:41Z")

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In the Pixar’s Cars Analysis thread, an interesting question came up:

**How do the OS Problem/Solution work in tandem in a Failure story?**

I had thought I remembered reading somewhere that when a story ends in a Failure, the OS Solution might be illustrated, but isn’t fully implemented by the end. Is this true, or am I remembering incorrectly? If it isn’t true, then what is the answer to the bolded question above?

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**Author:** ![Greg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/71c47a/32.png) [@Greg](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/Greg)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/problem-solution-in-failure-stories/1523/2 "2018-03-11T13:33:32Z")

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> **[Change, Steadfast – Success, Failure](http://dramaticapedia.com/2010/05/08/change-steadfast-success-failure/)**
>
> The following  excerpt is taken from The Dramatica Class Transcripts If you have a steadfast character and the story ends up as failure, you know they were not standing on the right spot. Its prett…

> **[My problem with Problem](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/my-problem-with-problem/552/3)**
>
> A Problem motivates what the cast wants to achieve, but it is not the achievement itself. In this case the Theory book is describing the Goal: how the protagonist hopes to counter the central inequity. I asked @chuntley about this very issue...

I’m thinking, based on the two links above, that the Solution being adopted (fully or not) and the Goal being achieved aren’t connected such that adopting the solution necessarily brings Success.

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**Author:** ![chuntley](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/discuss.dramatica.com/chuntley/32/83_2.png) [@chuntley](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/chuntley)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/problem-solution-in-failure-stories/1523/3 "2018-03-11T21:14:30Z")

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> [@Hunter](#):
>
> …when a story ends in a Failure, the OS Solution might be illustrated, but isn’t fully implemented by the end

Correct. It’s always stronger if you show the potential resolution of the inequity to emphasize the unrealized potential when it does not come to pass. it makes both the problem AND the solution more meaningful.