Act of Faith story
Alan Chatterton, an unsuccessful writer, sends successful author Ralston Temple a letter along with three sample chapters from his novel in progress. Alice, Temple's secretary, convinces her boss that the chapters are good and that he should meet the writer and perhaps give him money to finish his book. Temple agrees to meet Chatterton, but finds him an obnoxious boor. Nevertheless he gives him a six month loan. Six months later, Temple continues to fund Chatterton even though the book is not completed. Chatterton shows up again and asks for a thousand dollars so he can get married. Temple gives into the request, but later finds Chatterton partying in an expensive restaurant. Temple confronts Chatterton and rips up their contract. He then goes on vacation. Later, Alice tells Temple that Chatterton has finished his book. It is a best-seller and is going to be made into a movie. Temple shows up at a store where Chatterton is autographing his book. To Temple's surprise, Chatterton gives him an autographed copy of his book plus all the money he owed him with interest. Directed by: Bernard Girard. Story by: Eric Ambler.
14 total · 9 major · 5 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| art related activity | major | Ralston funded what he saw as the talented writer Alan to finish writing a promising novel. |
| coping with a moocher | major | Alan became something of a moocher, demanding evermore monetary support from his patron Ralston. |
| coping with a spendthrift | major | Ralston was dismayed when the writer he was financially supporting kept spending the money on things Ralston deemed luxuries. |
| creative writing | major | The story concerns an established writer financially supporting a promising new writer so that the new writer can finish his novel. The established writer gave advice on how to write, but it fell on deaf ears. |
| jealousy | major | The up-and-coming writer Alan confessed to the established writer Ralston that he was envious of his fine study and lavish lifestyle. |
| rich character vs. poor character | major | A point of the story was to contrast Alan (unsuccessful, impoverished, frivolous, deceitful) with Ralston (successful, rich, snobbish, sophisticated, generous). |
| second guessing one's self | major | The apparent conclusion of the story was that Ralston tore up the contract with Alan, only to find later that Alan had made it big and that the contract would, presumably, have been worth a fortune. There is also moral regret as they had now alienated a man who might have been a valuable acquaintance. |
| spendthrift | major | Alan used the money he got from Rolston to splurge on an apartment in the city and a night out at an expensive restaurant. |
| uptight character vs. laid back character | major | A point of the story was to contrast Alan (unsuccessful, impoverished, frivolous, deceitful) with Ralston (successful, rich, snobbish, sophisticated, generous). |
| art discussion | minor | Ralston began lecturing Alan about writing before comprehending that the latter was uninterested in anything except monetary support. |