Morton’s Fork is not a restaurant.

(pinterest)

Morton’s Fork

A character is presented two alternatives, A and B.

If the character chooses A, then something bad happens.

If they choose B, a similar or identical bad thing happens — but for a different reason. (tvtropes)

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A Morton’s fork is a . . . [superficially plausible, but actually wrong] piece of reasoning in which contradictory arguments lead to the same conclusion.

It is said to have originated with the collecting of taxes by John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury in the late 15th century,

who held that a man who was living modestly must be saving money and could therefore afford taxes,

whereas if he was living extravagantly then he was obviously rich and could still afford them.

(encyclopedia.com-wk)

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When faced with two bad choices, the temptation may be to do nothing,

but sometimes this is also a bad alternative.

Sometimes, a more thoughtful consideration of the options either reveals an additional choice,

or a choice in the array of existing options which is less repugnant.

It may also be possible to subvert the dilemma by finding or creating an exception to the rule.

Being between a rock and a hard place is sometimes solvable if

one is willing to develop a hammer to smash the rock out of the way, in other words. (wisegeek)

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Today’s Assignment:

Consider using the Morton’s Fork in your plot. In other words, give your character two choices that both result in bad or similar results, but for different reasons.

Also, don’t forget to enjoy spring.