1. Analysis of short story
Thrown Away by Rudyard Kipling
Materials prepared & adapted by Prof. Lucía Fallas

2. The Plot
It is a causal sequence of events, the “why?” for the things that happen in the story.
The plot draws the reader into the character’s live s and helps the reader understand the choices that the characters make.
1. Introduction/exposition: shows the reader the setting, characters, and intro to the conflict.
2. Rising/action: conflicts develop
3. Climax: turning point for the main conflict. It is the most exciting.
4. Falling action: conflict gets resolved.
5. Resolution: tied up questions are answered and lessons are learned.

3. Diagram

4. Thrown Away - Plot
The Boy was in Sandhurst which is a British military academy. He had one of the best academic records but when he left they were not so good.
He was under his parents protection
Then, he went to India and he was cut off from the support of his parents.
He took everything too serious and this affected his life.

5. Thrown Away - Plot
The boy was found in his bed dead. He had shot his head nearly to pieces with his revolver.
The major and the narrator wrote a letter to the boy’s family. They deceived the family and told them that the boy died of cholera.

6. The setting Where the story takes place? When the story takes place?
More background information

7. Thrown Away - Setting The story takes place in India
During the British colonization.

8. Point of view
First person point of view: it uses pronouns such as “I” and “me”.
The narrator is also a character of the story.
Second person point of view: it uses pronouns like “you” and “your” . The reader is a character in the story.
This one is the least common.
Third person point of view: it uses pronouns such as “he,” “she,” and “they”. Mr.
Narrator and reader are both outside of the story.

9. Omniscient: narrator can show the thoughts, feelings, fears, and goals of ALL characters.
“omni” means “all,” narrator knows all.

10. Thrown Away – Point of view
First person narrator

11. Theme It is the universal message.
It is what the story shows about life.
This might or might not be a moral (a lesson to learn).
The theme of a fable is its moral.
The theme of a parable is its teaching.
The theme of a piece of fiction is its view about life and how people behave.
*You must figure out the theme yourself.

12. Thrown Away – Theme
Lying is a central issue, but it is for an altruistic purpose.

13. Characters
They are either major or minor and either static (unchanging) or dynamic (changing)
Main character
Round characters: we know very well
Flat characters: we do not know well

14. Thrown Away - Characters
The Boy (main character)
The Major

15. Conflict Internal Person vs self Person vs person Person vs nature
External
Person vs society/group
Person vs supernatural
Person vs destiny/fate

16. Thrown Away - Conflict
External
Person vs society/group

17. References
“The British Raj and Imperial Benevolence.” Doctor Brighton’s Pavilion Web 03 June
Rudyard Kipling’s Time in Vermont. Raptis Rare Books, Web. 03 June
Short Story. Narrative for teaching. Power Point Presentation. Prof. Elizabeth Quirós. March 2014.