History Main / DeconReconSwitch

Some works deconstruct a {{trope}}, whereas others reconstruct them. Some do both at the same time. This trope applies to works in which a {{trope}} or genre is deconstructed, but later reconstructed. This can take place over a short period of time, where there is an immediate {{reconstruction}} of a deconstructed {{trope}}, or it can be long and drawn out, where a {{trope}} is initially deconstructed, and then reconstructed later on.

This {{trope}} can be an author's way of adding new complexity to the genre he/she is working in. For example, take the PrincessClassic. A work employing this {{trope}} would take a PrincessClassic, say, "guys, it wouldn't really work this way, but here's how it ''would'' work out." Using the examples from the {{Deconstruction}} and {{Reconstruction}} pages, in a work applying this {{trope}} to the PrincessClassic, the Princess' monarchy might initially find itself in dire straits, with an oppressive PrinceCharming, but by the end of the story a constitutional monarchy has been put into place.

Lightly based on Hegelian dialectic- the thesis (the {{trope}}), the antithesis (the {{deconstruction}}), and the synthesis ({{reconstruction}} and a changed {{trope}}.)

Some works deconstruct a trope, whereas others reconstruct them. Some do both at the same time. This trope applies to works in which a trope or genre is deconstructed, but later reconstructed. This can take place over a short period of time, where there is an immediate reconstruction of a deconstructed trope, or it can be long and drawn out, where a trope is initially deconstructed, and then reconstructed later on.

This trope can be an author's way of adding new complexity to the genre he/she is working in. For example, take the PrincessClassic. A work employing this trope would take a PrincessClassic, say, "guys, it wouldn't really work this way, but here's how it ''would'' work out." Using the examples from the {{Deconstruction}} and {{Reconstruction}} pages, in a work applying this trope to the PrincessClassic, the Princess' monarchy might initially find itself in dire straits, with an oppressive PrinceCharming, but by the end of the story a constitutional monarchy has been put into place.

Lightly based on Hegelian dialectic- the thesis (the trope), the antithesis (the deconstruction), and the synthesis (reconstruction and a changed trope.)

* Those Kotex commercials that pose the question "why are tampon ads so obnoxious?" detail all the tricks tampon ads use then immediately cut to scenes of exactly what they just said. Yes, it is a parody, but it still makes use of all the old tropes while at the same time making itself seem cooler than the other brands who are also using the same old tropes. Everyone is still wearing white pants and the liquid in the demonstration will never be any color but blue.

* In a bit of a meta example, Gainax seems to do this. They started with ''GunBuster,'' went to ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'', then went to ''TengenToppaGurrenLagann''.

* ''{{Dai-Guard}}'' is another HumongousMecha example; it starts out as a deconstruction of the genre heavy on the RealityEnsues, but then builds back everything it tears down better than ever.
* ''TwentiethCenturyBoys'' goes nuts on every nuance it can find in the SavingTheWorld plot. The {{Badass}} is brought down to the same level as the ActionSurvivor cast. The AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever is torn apart so brutally it's commented on in-universe. The only reason the BigBad exists is because he's a PsychopathicManchild CompleteMonster who actually ''believes'' in this crap, and he is much more GenreSavvy than the typical comic book villain who grabs the IdiotBall at the perfect time. At the same time, it is a {{Reconstruction}} in that, no matter how many tropes it subverts, the characters are still SavingTheWorld.

* [[PennAndTeller Penn & Teller]] applied this to the classic magician trick of sawing a woman in half. They did the regular trick and then explained how it worked, revealing how the woman was actually inside the hollow table, in not in the block. However, while they were explaining, through misleading, they replace the woman with a mannequin, which they "accidentally" saw in half, complete with fake blood and gore. The sudden unexpected twist makes for a very strong impact.

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* The career of AlanMoore. ''{{Watchmen}}'' deconstructed the concept of super-heroics, and ''{{Top Ten}}'', ''{{Supreme}}'' and ''1963'' built it back up again. ''{{League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen}}'' ripped apart the concept of pulp-heroics and ''{{Tom Strong}}'' (and to a certain extent the ''Black Dossier'') built it back up again.

* TheVentureBros was originally about deconstructing the boy adventurer genre (specifically, JonnyQuest) to pieces. Later seasons seem to be reconstructing the same tropes it deconstructed in earlier episodes.

* KingdomCome deconstructs the DarkAge and at the same time reconstructs the SilverAge

* The ''[[RedVsBlue Red vs. Blue]]: The Recollections'' trilogy spends the first installment showing what happens when you incorporate [[DysfunctionJunction the world's worst soldiers]] into a relatively normal unit and a deadly serious situation... then gives them back their own base at the end to allow them to [[MildlyMilitary keep fighting their pointless battles with each other]] and wraps up by having the same RagtagBunchOfMisfits save the day at the end ''because'' [[{{Nakama}} they understand each other's oddities so well]].

* TheVentureBros was originally about deconstruting the boy adventurer genre (specifically, JonnyQuest) to pieces. Later seasons seem to be reconstructing the same tropes it deconstructed in earlier episodes.

** Other magicians will do this as well. One had a routine where he'd do the classic "disappearing woman appearing somethere" else trick, then had the staging turned around so the audience was seeing the trick from the back. They'd witness the assistant using hidden doors to sneak out of one box and cross to the other. TheReveal, of course, was at the end of the trick the assistant ''did not'' appear out of the second box but another assistant did, while the one the audience "saw" moving was suddenly spotlighted behind the audience (not having had enough time to get from the box to the audience if she'd really been the one they'd seen sneaking between boxes).

** Other magicians will do this as well. One had a routine where he'd do the classic "disappearing woman appearing somethere" else trick, then had the staging turned around so the audience was seeing the trick from the back. They'd witness the assistant using hidden doors to sneak out of one box and cross to the other. TheReveal, of course, was at the end of the trick the assistant ''did not'' appear out of the second box but another assistant did, while the one the audience did ''see'' was spotlighted behind the audience.

* Penn and Teller applied this to the classic magician trick of sawing a woman in half. They did the regular trick and then explained how it worked, revealing how the woman was actually inside the hollow table, in not in the block. However, while they were explaining, through misleading, they replace the woman with a mannequin, which they "accidentally" saw in half, complete with fake blood and gore. The sudden unexpected twist makes for a very strong impact.

** ''Gurren Lagann'' does this itself, with the first eight episodes parodying most of the SuperRobot genre and refusing to take itself seriously... and then after [[spoiler:Kamina dies]], it [[{{Reconstruction}} punches you in the face and shouts "Why are you making fun of this? Have you forgotten it is AWESOME?"]].

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* TimBurton's 1988 hit film {{Beetlejuice}} at first appeared to deconstruct the monster movie by showing that the "monsters" could be pretty decent folk, the corollary of course being that HumansAreBastards. But the movie ultimately affirms that not only are humans redeemable if they're just scared straight, but supernatural creatures can still be complete a**holes.

* The career of AlanMoore. ''{{Watchmen}}'' deconstructed the concept of super-heroics, and ''{{Top Ten}}'', ''{{Supreme}}'' and ''1963'' built it back up again. ''{{League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen}}'' ripped apart the concept of pulp-heroics and ''{{Tom Strong}}'' (and to a certain extent the ''Black Dossier'' built it back up again.)

* The career of AlanMoore. ''{{Watchmen}}'' deconstructed the concept of super-heroics, and ''{{Top Ten}}'', ''{{Supreme}}'' and ''{{1963}}'' built it back up again. ''{{League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen}}'' ripped apart the concept of pulp-heroics and ''{{Tom Strong}}'' (and to a certain extent the ''Black Dossier'' built it back up again.)

* TheVentureBros was originally about deconstruting the boy adventurer genre (specifically, JohnnyQuest) to pieces. Later seasons seem to be reconstructing the same tropes it deconstructed in earlier episodes.