Plot, Character, Setting, Point of View& Theme Elements of Fiction Plot, Character, Setting, Point of View& Theme

Fiction: A Genre of Literature Works of prose that have imaginary elements Can be inspired by actual events and real people, but springs from writers’ imaginations 2 major types: Novels and Short Stories 4 Basic Elements: Plot, Character, Setting, & Theme

#1 Plot Sequence of events that make up a story Almost always built around CONFLICTS (problems or struggles) 5 main stages 1. Exposition 2. Rising Actions 3. Climax 4. Falling Actions 5. Resolution

Plot Diagram Turning point in the story; Most tension or suspense; Can be anywhere in the novel Climax Development of complications & problems leading to the climax; Suspense builds & plot “thickens” Actions following climax; Conflict starts to resolve Falling Actions Rising Actions Resolution (Denouement) French: “untying of knots” Conclusion Final outcome of the story Conflict ↑ & Tension ↑ Complications Grow Exposition Introduction – background info; Sets the stage for the story; Introduces characters, setting, & conflict

Conflicts in a Plot Conflict – struggle or problem 2 main kinds: External vs. Internal 1) External – a struggle outside of the character; against someone or something else 2) Internal – a struggle within a character’s mind or heart

Types of Conflict 4 types Self Person Society Person vs. Nature

Sequence & Development of Plot Author’s carefully choose the sequence of events and the timeline in which the plot is developed (the order the events are presented) Chronological Order, Reverse Order Flashback Foreshadow Flash-Forward END START TIME LINE Hints or clues of what Is to happen later on Presents episodes/events From the past Jumps ahead to Future events

#2 Character Main Characters Subordinate Characters Protagonist: the main character; often the narrator Antagonist: character that the protagonist struggles against and must overcome Subordinate Characters Minor characters who add depth and complication

Describing a Character Round vs. Flat Characters Round: have several sides to their personality; complex, fully developed Flat: have few traits; Undeveloped Dynamic vs. Static Characters Dynamic: grow or change by the end of the story; take action, change behavior or attitudes Static: don’t grow or change; stay the same

What is Characterization? The way writers create characters in a story 2 ways: Direct Characterization – tells us directly what a character is like or what a person’s motives are Indirect Characterization – shows us a character but we have to interpret the character ourselves

What are the methods of INDIRECT Characterization? Character’s SPEECH 1st person narration – character speaks directly to the reader Dialogue – what they have to say to themselves and to others Character’s APPEARANCE – look & dress Character’s PRIVATE THOUGHTS Character’s INTERACTIONS – how other characters in the story feel about them or interact with them Character ACTIONS – what they do & how they act

#3 SETTING Tells us WHERE and WHEN a story takes place Can reveal about the characters Can provide MOOD or ATMOSPHERE Expresses a TONE (attitude toward a subject or character)

#4 Point of View Each story has a NARRATOR (storyteller). The narrator can tell the story as one of the characters or can be a storyteller outside of it. The narrator can take on one of three POINTS OF VIEW (the perspective in which the story is told)

First Person A character in the story (often the main character) Tells us the story directly to the reader from his/her own perspective Reveals personal thoughts and opinions Uses words like “I/we/my” in NARRATION Not always reliable or credible

Third Person Limited Narrator is not in the story; instead is on the outside looking in Zooms in on one specific character and that character’s perspective (thoughts/feelings) Uses words like “he/she” in NARRATION

Third Person OMNISCIENT Narrator is not in the story; is on the outside looking in Doesn’t focus on just one character Omniscient = “all knowing” narrator Tells us what EVERY character thinks and feels Uses words like “he/she’ in NARRATION

Points of View First Person Third Person Limited Omniscient IN the story ONE character “I/we/my” OUTSIDE of the story “He/She” MANY characters

Identify the POV “Love in L.A.” “Initiation” “Hills Like White Elephants”

#5 THEME Central idea or message Insight or perception about life or human nature that the writer wants to communicate Seldom stated DIRECTLY  must be INFERRED (the reader must find meaning) It is NOT a subject. It is a STATEMENT. Friendship  True friendship can outlast any conflict. There can be more than one theme in a story.

Finding Themes Themes can be revealed by The conflicts of the story The ways characters change The statements made in dialogue or narration Symbols within the story The work’s title

Examples of Themes The conflicts of the story “Love in L.A” reveals how superficial people can be in the conquest of love. The ways characters change/symbols in the story In “Initiation”, the freedom and uniqueness of one’s individuality is more important than the pressures of conformity. Symbols within the story The hills of the story, “Hills Like White Elephants” represent the difficult decisions and contrasting viewpoints that the idea of abortion creates.