Line #28 PlayingWith/AccidentalTheft


1	'''Basic Trope''': A character accidentally steals something.
2	* '''Straight''': Bob leaves a store without realizing he forgot to pay for the pack of gum he picked up.
3	* '''Exaggerated''': All theft is accidental, even forgetting to return a pen one uses while filling out a form, and everyone who does so views it as a serious crime.
4	* '''Downplayed''': Bob accidentally steals one item in the process of intentionally stealing others.
5	* '''Justified''':
6	** Bob has the item smuggled into his backpack by someone who ''is'' attempting to steal, making him indirectly responsible.
7	** [[SatchelSwitcheroo Bob accidentally takes someone else’s item because it looks exactly like his]].
8	* '''Inverted:''' Bob accidentally returns an item he stole.
9	* '''Subverted''':
10	** Bob is later revealed to have intentionally stolen the item.
11	** The accidentally stolen item is then revealed to have been free all along, so it wasn’t technically theft in the first place.
12	** Bob, being a very honest man, goes back to the cashier.
13	* '''Double Subverted''':
14	** But then it turns out that he’d accidentally stolen the wrong thing.
15	** Bob still feels guilty about having "stolen" the item.
16	** He forgets ''another'' item and ends up "stealing" that.
17	* '''Parodied:''' [[WebAnimation/{{brewstew}} Bob rents a game from Blockbuster and forgets to return it.]]
18	* '''Zig-Zagged''': Some of what Bob steals is intentional, some of it not.
19	* '''Averted:'''
20	** Bob does not steal anything, or if he does, he does it with intent.
21	** Bob does not go shopping in person during the work.
22	* '''Enforced:''' To show that Bob is clumsy and forgetful, or is a ButtMonkey who constantly gets into situations that are NotWhatItLooksLike.
23	* '''Lampshaded''': “C’mon, you don’t think I stole that on purpose, do you?”
24	** "Oh no, not again! I seem to have a talent for unintentional shoplifting."
25	* '''Invoked:''' Alice sneaks another item into Bob's cart after he pays for his items.
26	* '''Exploited:''' ...To get him arrested for theft.
27	* '''Defied:''' Bob makes absolutely sure that he has paid for everything to avoid "stealing" something.
28	* '''Discussed''': Characters discuss the implications of accidental theft and the moral responsibility of the person who unknowingly takes something without paying for it.
29	* '''Conversed''': Characters talk about accidental theft in a conversation unrelated to the current situation, sharing anecdotes or opinions about the topic.
30	* '''Deconstructed:''' Bob is arrested for theft, and is unable to convince the police that he did it by accident, because [[TruthInTelevision "stealing something by accident" sounds extremely stupid.]]
31	* '''Reconstructed''': The consequences of Bob's accidental theft are explored and ultimately lead to personal growth or positive outcomes, showing that mistakes can be rectified and lessons can be learned.
32	* '''Logical Extreme''': Accidental theft becomes a common occurrence in the world, leading to a society that has complex systems in place to address these accidental thefts, such as specialized accidental theft recovery teams.
33	* '''Played for Laughs''': Bob's accidental thefts consistently result in humorous situations and comedic misunderstandings.
34	* '''Played for Drama''': Bob's accidental theft has serious consequences, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, or legal troubles that add tension and drama to the story.
35	* '''Played for Horror''': The accidental theft takes on a darker tone, with eerie or sinister implications, evoking fear or discomfort in the audience.
36	* '''Implied''': The audience sees Bob leaving a store with an item, and later it is subtly implied that he accidentally stole it.
37	* '''Unparodied''': The accidental theft is treated seriously, without any comedic or mocking elements present.
38	* '''Untwisted''': It is initially hinted that Bob accidentally stole something, but it is later revealed that he did so intentionally, surprising the audience.
39	----
40	Return to Accidental Theft...whoops! I didn't mean to steal [[AccidentalTheft the link!]]

Context PlayingWith / AccidentalTheft