Notes – Short Story Elements

Essential Question How do authors use literary elements -- such as setting, characterization, imagery, plot, and symbolism-- to develop the themes of their stories? How do authors use literary elements -- such as setting, characterization, imagery, plot, and symbolism-- to develop the themes of their stories?

What is Plot ? The sequence of events, or basically what happens in a story.The sequence of events, or basically what happens in a story.

What is Conflict ? All stories are built on CONFLICT. It provides the central source of tension and drama that make stories interesting to read. Types of Conflict: External: A struggle between a character and an outside force. Man vs. Man Man vs. Society Man vs. Nature Internal: A struggle that takes place in a character’s mind. Man vs. Self

What is Setting? Setting works in many important ways in the short story: Provides a backdrop for the action (time and location). Establishes atmosphere and mood. Shapes character and action. Reflects character psychology. At its most basic level, setting includes: the geographical location the geographical location Ex: Wyoming, London, Australia Ex: Wyoming, London, Australia the time period the time period Ex: 1865, during World War II, today Ex: 1865, during World War II, today the socio-economic conditions the socio-economic conditions Ex: wealthy suburbs, Depression dustbowl Ex: wealthy suburbs, Depression dustbowl the specific building, room, etc. the specific building, room, etc. Ex: a boarding school, a bus Ex: a boarding school, a bus

What mood does the setting create in Poe’s story? “During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country” “During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country” - Edgar Allan Poe, “The Fall of the House of Usher”

What is Character? CHARACTER is perhaps the most important of all elements of the short story. Almost invariably, it is the people in stories that interest us most.

Types of Character Protagonist – the main character, typically the “good guy” (but not always)Protagonist – the main character, typically the “good guy” (but not always) Can you think of an example from a popular story or fairy tale?Can you think of an example from a popular story or fairy tale? Antagonist – the character or force in conflictAntagonist – the character or force in conflict Can you think of an example? Who opposed the person you just named?Can you think of an example? Who opposed the person you just named?

TECHNIQUES OF CHARACTERIZATION DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION: The author TELLS the reader information about the characters directly. INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION: STEAL The author SHOWS the character in action and lets the readers make their own interpretations. S peech What does the character say? How does the character speak? T houghts What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? E ffect on others/ toward the character What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? A ctions What does the character do? How does the character behave? L ooks What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

Timing: Flashback, Flash- forward, & Foreshadowing Flashback is an interruption in the present action of a story to tell about something that happened in the past—a jump back in time. Flash-forward is a scene in a story that interrupts the present action and shifts into the future.

Ex: Early in the film, Bambi's mother warns him of the dangers in the forest, none greater than man with his gun. Later in the film, Bambi’s mother is killed by a hunter. The death of Bambi's mother is foreshadowed by her conversation about the threat of man. Foreshadowing is when the author gives clues or hints about what might happen later on in a story.

What is Point of View? The perspective from which a story is told. Ask yourself, “Who is telling the story?” There are FOUR different POINTS OF VIEW:

Points of View FIRST PERSON: The character narrates his/her own experiences directly, using “I.” SECOND PERSON (very rare): Your point of view THIRD PERSON LIMITED: The author tells the story from the viewpoint of JUST one character. THIRD PERSON OMNISCENT: if the author is OUTSIDE the story and presents the thoughts of ALL the characters involved as an OBJECTIVE OBSERVER. Ex: When Jane saw Bill jogging past her house, her heart skipped a beat. When Bill saw Jane in the hallway at school, he fought hard to catch his breath. No doubt about it – it was love!

Style, Tone, & Mood STYLE can be broken down into diction and voice. It is the way an author uses words, phrases, sentences, language, and conventions. It is the author’s unique way of expressing his/her ideas. Two authors’ styles can be as different as their speaking voices or signatures.

Style, Tone & Mood TONE is the author’s attitude/feelings about the subject of his/her writing. Tone can be positive, negative, or neutral. Mood is the overall feeling – light, happy, dark or mysterious, for example – created by an author’s words. Mood is the way the text makes the READER feel.

Symbolism Symbols are animals, elements, things, places, or colors, writers use to represent other things. What might these things symbolize? Fox Snake Lamb Red Purple Spring Winter

What is Figurative Language? Figurative language is a tool that an author uses to help the reader visualize what is happening in a story or poem. Figurative language is meant to be interpreted imaginatively, not literally.

Types of Figurative Language Simile- a figure of speech that compares two dissimilar things by using the key words “like” or “as” Simile- a figure of speech that compares two dissimilar things by using the key words “like” or “as” Metaphor- a figure of speech that compares two unlike things describing one as if it were the other. *Does not use “like” or “as” Metaphor- a figure of speech that compares two unlike things describing one as if it were the other. *Does not use “like” or “as” Personification- a figure of speech in which human qualities are given to a nonhuman subject Personification- a figure of speech in which human qualities are given to a nonhuman subject

What is Theme? Theme is a novel/short story/poem’s central message or insight into life; a “universal truth.” It is NOT “What is the story about.” It is what the work MEANS.

RECOGNIZING THEME: SOME POINTERS The interaction of the literary elements (plot, setting/mood, characters, and symbols/imagery) develops the themes of the story. theme plot setting/ mood characters symbols/ imagery

Some Traditional Story Themes Have you encountered any of these common theme patterns in your reading? The struggle between good and evil The differences between nature and civilized society The conflict between the individual and the community The differences between country and city life The conflict between human free will and fate