Flipped my vote accordingly.

Not sure why who caused the ruins is important. I added Destruction Survey

This is a trope for a character surveying the destruction that they caused. If someone surveys destruction in general, it is not this trope.

But what is the difference in tropes? What does it matter?

The significance here is that the character sees his own handiwork, inspiring guilt or triumph. Seeing someone else's work has a very different effect.

If we were to broaden this trope, we could lump it with characters gazing on fallen foes' bodies or news clippings describing their deeds.

Visually they're the same trope, most of the time. Outside of context, the scene tends to look and feel (and sound) the same no matter who the character is. On the other hand, the emotional connotations of the scene are pretty different. So...*shrug*

edited 28th Jul '12 3:11:46 PM by troacctid

The emotional connotations aren't normally that different. It's the same bit of guilt, joy, sadness, or triumph. It doesn't matter if the character caused it or just failed to prevent it. There's no difference in the tropes.

How does someone feel guilt or triumph at seeing ruins they didn't cause?

They feel guilt because they couldn't stop it. Because they failed. Because they let those that they loved down. They can feel triumph because there's now nothing left of those that opposed them. Even if they didn't cause their downfall, they can still cackle at it.

Oh, so it's still their ruins, so to speak? If they didn't cause it, they still could have prevented it but didn't? If they didn't destroy it, they sure wanted to? Sure, that's the same thing.

The Hero looking at the ruins of something he cares about is covered under Watching Troy Burn.

Bumping for votes.

What about Survey The Destruction?

edited 27th Nov '12 9:29:01 AM by ArcadesSabboth

I have to agree with Troacctid that there's a pretty clear difference in tone and emotional substance between when the observer has some measure of responsibility for causing the ruins and when it does not. The one is this trope, the other is only Scenery Gorn.

Shima - triumph and guilt are still reserved for people who were supposed to prevent it or had foreknowledge and concern in the matter of whether the ruins were... ruined. Other possible reactions may include awe, bafflement, horror, grief, envy, apathy, and tourism.

edited 28th Nov '12 9:39:30 AM by Noaqiyeum

It looks like this crowner has a consensus for a new name and one new redirect. Should I holler for it to be called?

Calling the crowner as requested.

Culled the examples I knew were wrong or couldn't tell. Changed the laconic so it won't be confused with related tropes. Will soon give a small chainsaw to the description.

Can anyone look into Watching Troy Burn and pick examples that may actually fit here?

edited 15th Dec '12 1:43:34 AM by lu127

Chainsawed a paragraph off the description. Any help? I can't tell if the examples in the discussion page are correct.

While I can't help with the description, I might be able to rename this. Objections?

I think you can go ahead and do the rename.

The page is moved. The wicks will have to be taken by someone at a better place than where I am now.

Wicks will have to wait until the description is finalized.

The description is ready.

Ok, did the rename, except for that newsletter wick as it seems to be an archive rather than a proper page.

There's still example cleaning.