The Ultimate Writing Guide: Crafting an Authentic Gangster Story

The gangster genre tells the tragic story of a protagonist who rises from poverty to wealth and power in the criminal world but ultimately experiences a swift and violent downfall due to their criminal actions.

Motivations, Themes, and Destructive Effects

It exposes the motivations behind criminal behaviour, such as the desire for wealth and the belief in success at any cost, and highlights the destructive effects of unchecked ambition and societal norms. The genre also explores themes around friendship, loyalty, class, race, ethics, family, success, corruption, trust, law enforcement, and the struggle between individuals and society.

The Protagonist and their Criminal Gang

In the gangster genre, the focus is not only on the crimes committed but also on the anti-hero protagonist’s psychological profile. Born into poverty, often from an immigrant background, they turn to organised crime as a means of escape and use violence to achieve their goals. The protagonist is presented as strongly individualistic but has a sense of camaraderie with their criminal gang. This organisation possesses characteristics such as resembling a kingdom, being centred around a family structure, having a head gangster wielding unwavering authority, adhering to a rigid hierarchy, and operating as a cohesive unit driven by shared objectives and mutual support.

Conflict, Opposition, and Tension

The gangster genre often features a close ally of the protagonist, who serves as a contrast. This ally, often a childhood friend, represents a more introspective and morally conscious viewpoint, which creates tension as they struggle with the protagonist’s choices throughout the story. The protagonist in a gangster story is faced with opposition from two sources: law enforcement, who strive to end their criminal activities, and other gangsters, who view them as a potential threat. The central tension in the genre is between individuality and societal norms. The gangster is caught in a vicious cycle, striving for success through illicit means and ultimately facing isolation and vulnerability to their enemies. The gangster’s desire to stand out and establish themselves as a leader makes them a lonely figure, as their actions elicit hatred from those around them. The story underscores the danger of being isolated, and the gangster’s paranoia only reinforces their loneliness.

Cautionary Tale and Ethical Warnings

The gangster genre serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and a lack of moral grounding, as well as a warning against the pursuit of wealth and power at the cost of morality and ethics, and highlighting the importance of making informed decisions that align with one’s values and beliefs. However, at the same time, it critiques the unequal distribution of opportunities and unrealistic aspirations that society imposes on individuals, which contribute to the protagonist’s self-destruction.