University:
Bradley University
Course:
ENG 115 | Introduction to Literature
Academic year:

2022
Views:

105

Pages:

33
Author:

Gudrunecg9m

Elements of Fiction Fiction • Literature with imaginary people, events, or places. It can be inspired by fact and can include some real events or people, but also includes at least one made-up element. • Types of Fiction – classified according to length • Novels – long works of fiction (main plot with conflict, plus sub-plots with conflicts) • Short stories – brief, focus is upon one single conflict. • Novellas – shorter than novels but longer than short stories. • Example: Narnia stories (Prince Caspian) Plot Strikes Again • Remember from your drama notes • Plot • Exposition • Rising Action • Climax • Falling Action • Dénouement Setting-Part of the Exposition • Keep in mind these things are not always DIRECTLY stated • When the story takes place • Time period • Time of day • Where the story took place • Location (specific or general) • Weather • Context / historical background / social conditions in which the story is set provides us with additional plot information. • Socio-economic characteristics of a location, etc. Setting in relationship to the characters or conflict *The setting is part of the conflict when a character becomes shipwrecked on a desert island. *The setting affects characters when a historic event such as a war changes their lives. *The setting also influences the characters when they travel to a place that is foreign to them and must learn new customs. Setting in relationship to the atmosphere or theme of a work. *Stories about loss or death often take place in winter. *Suspenseful or scary stories often take place in dark, secluded places. *Futuristic stories often take place in outer space or on another planet. It Was a Dark and Stormy Night… Snoopy The Theme of a piece of fiction is its central idea. It usually contains some insight into the human condition. • A general statement of the central, underlying, and controlling idea or insight of a work of literature. • The idea the writer wishes to convey about the subject— the writer’s view of the world or a revelation about human nature. • Can be expressed in a single sentence. • Theme is NOT• expressed in a single word • the purpose of a work • the moral • the conflict Some common themes in literature • • • • Man is man's worst enemy. Good is stronger than evil. A person grows by facing obstacles. Enjoy life now because we don't know what the future holds. • Love conquers all. • Treat others the way you want to be treated. Notice that the themes aren't describing particular events or characters. They are broad ideas that can apply to all people. How do I identify the theme? • Look closely at the title. Sometimes you will find a clue about the theme. • Look for ideas that are repeated more than once. • Look for lessons that the character learns. • Think about what happens in the story and how it can apply to life. • For example, if the main character must survive an approaching rainstorm, the theme may be, "Nature is at war with mankind." Symbolism A symbol represents an idea, quality, or concept larger than itself. A journey can symbolize life. Black can represent evil or death. Water may represent a new beginning. A lion could be a symbol of courage. Other Fiction Elements • Allusion: a reference to a person, place or literary, historical, artistic, mythological source or event. • Allegory: a form of extended metaphor in which all of the elements of the story have meanings that lie outside the narrative itself (ie: the story is symbolic of another story) • Underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance, and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas as charity, greed, or envy. • Atmosphere: the prevailing emotional and mental climate of a piece of fiction. • Dialect: the language of a particular region or group of people. • Includes the sound, spelling, and diction used by that group • Dialogue: the reproduction of a conversation between two of the characters. • Flashback: interrupts the plot of a story and goes back to a past event • Foreshadowing: early clues about what will happen later in a piece of fiction. • Irony: a difference between what is expected and reality • Style: a writer’s individual and distinct way of writing. The total of the qualities that distinguish one author’s writing from another’s. Structure • The way time moves through a novel. • Chronological: starts at the beginning and moves through time. • Flashback: starts in the present and then goes back to the past. • Circular or Anticipatory: starts in the present, flashes back to the past, and returns to the present at the conclusion. • Panel: same story told from different viewpoints. Characters • Protagonist • The main character in a literary work. • NOT always the “good” guy! • Antagonist • The character who opposes the protagonist. • NOT always the “bad” guy! Characterization • The process by which the author reveals the personality of the characters. • Different types of characters • Different ways of getting their personalities across Types of Characters • Dynamic: Develops and grows throughout the course of the work. • Round: A character who is complex and has many sides or traits with unpredictable behavior and a fully developed personality. Has faults as well as virtues. • Static: Does not develop or grow throughout the work • Flat: A character who has one or two sides, representing one or two traits—often a stereotype. Ways to find out about the characters Direct Characterization • Direct characterization is when the author TELLS the audience what the personality of the character is. • Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both at the game.” • The author is telling us that the boy is patient and the girl is quiet. Indirect Characterization • Indirect characterization is when the author SHOWS things that reveal the personality of the character. • There are FIVE different methods of indirect characterization: speech, thoughts, effect on other characters, actions, and looks. (STEAL) Indirect Characterization • S: Speech • What does the character say? How does the character speak? • “Hey, we can have lots of fun at camp this summer! I love being outside!” • This shows us the character is upbeat and happy. • T: Thoughts • What is revealed through the character’s thoughts and feelings? • I wish it would stop raining. I am tired of sitting inside! • This shows us the character is not happy about the situation. • E: Effect on Others • What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? • The boy glared at his sister as she ate his dessert. • This shows us that the character is upset about his sister’s behavior and inability to think of others. • A: Actions • What does the character do? How does the character behave? • The girl rode the lawn mower through the house and into the garage. • This shows us the girl is not concerned with rules or safety. • L: Looks • What does the character look like? How does the character dress? • The little girl left the game with slumped shoulders and a frown on her face. • This shows us the little girl is not enjoying herself and is upset. Character Analysis • In order to analyze characters think about the following: • Traits • A special quality or something special about someone’s • • • • personality Motivation • What causes someone to act in a certain way Conflict • When characters have different interests or goals Point of View • The side from which a story it told Relationships • The connection of people in friendship, family, work, school, etc. Point of View • Refers to the way the story is told • The perspective (position) from which the events are narrated Different View Points • First Person Point of View • Uses word “I” or “we” • Often used when someone is stating an opinion or sharing a feeling • Naïve first person narrator – Understands LESS about events in the story than the readers do • Ie: If the narrator is a five year old; the reader may have a clearer understanding of the events in the story than the child who is describing them • Second Person • Uses the word “you” • Used when giving directions or speaking directly to someone • Almost NEVER used to tell a story • Third Person • Uses words “he”, “she”, “they” and sometimes “it” • Omniscient – The narrator is not a character in the story but can tell you the thoughts and actions of all characters at all times. (Pronouns: he, she, him, her, they, them, etc.) • Limited: – The narrator is not a character in the story but can tell you the thoughts and actions of a few key characters at all times. (Pronouns: he, she, him, her, they, them, etc.) Conflict • The problems encountered by the characters in the story. • Two types • Internal • External Internal Conflict • Character Vs. Self • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with her or his conscience. External Conflict • Main character fights against something or struggles to overcome something outside of himself. • • • • • • Character Character Character Character Character Character versus versus versus versus versus versus Nature Character Society Technology the Supernatural Fate Character vs. Nature • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with the elements of nature. Character Vs. Character • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with others, especially the antagonist. Character vs. Society • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with society as a whole. Character Vs. Technology • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with technology. Character Vs. Supernatural • The protagonist in the story experiences conflict with unnatural elements. Character Vs. Fate • When the protagonist tries to break free of a predetermined path chosen before him prior to his knowledge. It can also be referred to as an issue between destiny and freewill.

Elements of Fiction

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