English Literature and FilmUnit 1: Elements of Fiction

Scott DeWaelsche3/19-3/21

Elements of Fiction

• A. Plot• Definition of Plot: Events of the story, with a

beginning, a middle, and an end. They move from one place or event to another in order to form a pattern, usually with the purpose of overcoming a conflict.

Elements of Plot

A. Plot-Beginning

• The beginning, or exposition, establishes the characters, setting and initial conflicts of a story. It "sets the scene" for the rest of the narrative.

• Dickens' famous opening line in A Tale of Two Cities, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," is a classic example of exposition that helps establish the background of the novel.

A. Plot-Rising Action

• the series of events that build up and create tension and suspense. This tension is a result of the basic conflict that exists and makes the story interesting.

• Rising action leads to the climax.

A. Plot-Climax

• the turning point of the story, where the main conflict is decided and the central character is about to win or lose all.

• The climax does not mark the end of conflict; it only determines how the conflict will be decided.

• The climax usually happens anywhere from 50% to 90% of the completed story.

A. Plot-Falling Action

• the events that happen after the climax that tie up "loose ends“ and lead to the resolution; they fulfill the main character’s fortunes that are now clear after the climax.

• The author has to decide which parts of the plot to tie up and which to leave as questions for the reader to think about (or leave for a future story).

A. Plot-Resolution

• The conclusion; the tying up of loose ends. This is the end of the story.

A. Plot-Conflict

• Plot usually involves one or more conflicts, which are problems that need to be solved.

• The "movement" towards a solution is what drives the story forward, and is what occupies most of the main character's time.

A. Plot-Conflict

• The best plots are often built around mental, emotional, and moral conflicts.

• Plots involving physical conflict, war, exploration, escapes often contain the most excitement and suspense.

Types of Conflict

1. Man against nature

2. Man against man

3. Man against society

4. Man against himself (i.e. a portrayal of an inner struggle, internal conflict)

A. Plot-Conflict

• What is the main conflict in The Dark Knight Rises? What type of conflict is it?

B. Character

• Characters are the people (or animals, things, etc. presented as people) appearing in a story (book or film).

B. Character

• Protagonist – The main character in a story.

• Antagonist – The characters or things working against the protagonist.

B. Character

• Major or central characters - are central to the development and resolution of the conflict. In other words, the plot and resolution of conflict revolves around these characters.

• Minor characters – less important characters that complement the major characters and help move the plot events forward.

Types of Characters

• Round character – are like real-life people. They have many different and even contradictory personality traits.

• Flat character – stereotyped and shallow (simple). They often have only one or two personality traits.

Types of Characters

• Dynamic character – they change over the course of the story, usually because of something that happens to them.

• Static character – opposite of dynamic, these characters do not change in the story.

C. Setting

• The setting is the place where the story takes place. Setting includes the following:

The geographical location (ex. New York City)The time period (ex. 1865, WWII, today)Socio-economic characteristics of the location

(rich neighborhood, poor ghetto, etc.)A specific building or room (a log cabin, a

university, etc.)

C. Setting• In a movie, the setting carries a real impact

and establishes a certain atmosphere or mood. Consider what Titanic would be like without the pressure put on the characters by the sinking ship.

C. Setting

• Setting fixes the time and place of a story, and can play a major role in developing the story's character and conflict.

• Castaway with Tom Hanks

D. Theme

• It's the central idea of a story. • It's a theory of life which holds the story

together, or the universal truth in the story. • The simplest way of defining theme is this: it is

the description of the basic challenges of mankind (e.g. "the human condition").

• It is the “bigger picture” of a story.

D. Theme

• The theme is not the moral, or lesson. Good literature doesn’t have to try to teach you something.

• Universality of Theme - A theme should be stated as an idea that it can be applied to life in a general, not only to the people in the story, but to the reader, to the student, and to all humankind.

Theme Examples

• Twilight: Love can conquer all adversity.

Theme Examples

• The Hobbit: a common person can be a hero.

Theme Examples

• Harry Potter: It is sometimes necessary to rebel, or break the rules.

E. Symbolism

• A symbol is an object, event, or a character that's used to represent an idea; it is something which stands for something else.

• Readers aren't told that something is a symbol. They are simply expected to find it and understand its symbolic meaning.

Examples of Symbols

• Water can mean cleanliness, renewal

• Red roses can mean love

• A lion can symbolize courage

• A white dove can stand for peace

• A journey can symbolize life

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