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Hypothetically speaking:

If a story began by introducing the main character, then proceeded to immediately kill him at the hands of the antagonist, and then resurrect him again, what direction do you naturally expect the story to go from there? Or what direction do you want the story to go? In other words, what do you think the story will be about?

Basically, what kinds of questions does this situation raise, and which of them do you, as a reader, demand be answered by the end of the story?

Do you think it's necessary for the story to focus primarily on the resurrection, or can the resurrection be just another plot element?

And just for fun, to what degree do you think resurrection implies Christian or other religious parallels?

EDIT: To be quite honest, I haven't even thought too deeply into the question myself. I was hoping your replies would spur my brain on some. Though I think I can safely say that, as a reader, I would demand to know how and why he was resurrected, and I would probably expect the story to center a great deal around his resurrection. I would also expect it to be something of a "chosen one" story, where he is the chosen one to save the world or whatever. And, admittedly, that's probably where I would want the story to go (provided he's a good character), because I'm a sucker for "chosen one" stories. smile

And, yes, I do think of religion in some form when I think of resurrection, but mostly because I don't generally think of magic, which would be my other obvious explanation.

I'd probably want to know why it was him who was resurrected and not someone else, and why he had to be resurrected.

EDIT: And another interesting question has been raised! Would killing the hero right in the beginning turn you on or off to the story?

I demand nothing.

I am also reminded of Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen, but I demand nothing. You have not given us information to form an opinion. At this point the story could go anywhere.

In addition, the circomstances of the resserection are for you to decide. I don't think it needs to be a big part of the story at all and it would be all too predictable if the story focused primarily on the subject of coming back to life.

1) How and why he was reborn?
2) Either or, or maybe both... (A paradox!)
3) Resurrection in religion isn't my area of expertise. Personally, I have come to know it as "being reborn after dying because of this or that."

I apologize if I am of no help, but it's 9:34 P.M. where I am, girls have certain biological functions that I'm going through, and I'm tired.

You might not be special enough. Though, with respect, you spelled circumstances wrong in that one post.

ROFFLECOPTER

Wow, I'm smarter than most people even when I'm exhausted! That's amazing! Mind stating that in front of my evil aunt?

i would never start by killing the hero. I have started my currant story with the main character as an adult saying about her childhood, and how these kids she hung out with all wound up dead. It's kind of like, you know that they're going to die, so as you start to like them, you get sad knowing something bad is going to happen to them. But starting off with the mc's death kind of seams like "ok, dead person, emotional menipulation, i give a crap wgy? it's almost as bad as starting with a child abuse scene.