English 20-2, Independent study

 Setting is defined by ◦ the time the story takes place in, ◦ the place(s) the story takes place at, ◦ the culture(s) the story revolves around.  Where does the story take place? ◦ Geographical (country), urban/rural,  When does the story take place? ◦ Approximate year, season, special activities (war, drought)

 Does the description of the setting create a vivid mental picture for the reader? ◦ What do you see in your mind when you read about the setting?  Is there any change in setting? ◦ What changes if any are happening in the setting?  Do the seasons change?  Are there flashbacks?  How does the setting of the story affect: ◦ the general atmosphere (or mood) of the story? ◦ the outcome of the story? ◦ the plot? ◦ the character(s), and through them the tone? ◦ the emotions of the reader?

 Characters come in two basic varieties ◦ flat characters do not change or develop in any way during the novel  they are static.  usually minor characters. ◦ Round characters are fully developed.  You learn a lot about them,  may change in the course of the story  they are dynamic.  Main characters are usually both round and dynamic.  We learn about what makes them tick, their thoughts or we must assume their thoughts

 Who are the main characters?  Can the reader accept the characters as real people? (Are they true to life?)  Does the character develop or grow as a result of the incidents in the story?  Does the reader come to know the characters as individuals with unique strengths and weaknesses?  Can the reader become involved in the emotions of the characters?  What motivates the characters to behave as they do?  Would the reader have acted in the same manner as the character?

 Plot is basically the narrative of the story.  It tells what happens.

 Exposition: ◦ In the Exposition, action is flat (little happens) ◦ Details are provided and descriptions are used to provide background for the plot and the conflict of the story ◦ Characters are introduced and developed in the exposition

 Rising Action ◦ A series of events that build the conflict of the plot. ◦ Often builds, levels off. ◦ Leads to the CLIMAX, where the conflict is resolved. ◦ Conflict – most books have one main conflict:  Man against himself  Man against man  Man against the environment.

 Denouement ◦ This happens after the climax ◦ Conflict is resolved ◦ All loose ends are cleared up ◦ Can also set the stage of a sequel.

 underlying comment or idea about life  can usually be stated very simply ◦ sometimes as a single word  It is the main idea behind the story yet it may not be directly related to the story

 What is the main idea that the author is trying to tell us about life?  What is the message or moral of the novel?  Have you been influenced by the novel? In what way have you been influenced by the novel?  Does the theme compare or contrast with that of other literature that you have studied?