BASICS OF STORYTELLING
This lesson lays the groundwork for understanding Neil Gaiman’s exploration of the connection
between storytelling and human consciousness in The Sandman graphic novel series. Plot structure
is a key component to the creation of myth. Neil Gaiman has often been heralded as the writer of
modern myth. By exploring the use of myth in The Sandman graphic novel series students develop
an important aspect of critical consciousness; the ability to recognize the manipulation of narrative
over time. In this lesson, students will learn the classic Freytag’s pyramid of plot structure.
Students will then be given ongoing assignments that ask them to record where Neil Gaiman
follows classical literary devices and where he plays with and subverts them.
COMMON CORE:
Key Ideas and Details:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as
well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters
uncertain.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.3
Analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a
story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are
introduced and developed).
Craft and Structure:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.5
Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure specific parts of a text (e.g., the
choice of where to begin or end a story, the choice to provide a comedic or tragic resolution)
contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.7
Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem (e.g., recorded or live production of a
play or recorded novel or poetry), evaluating how each version interprets the source text.
(Include at least one play by Shakespeare and one play by an American dramatist.)
MATERIALS NEEDED:
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“Freytag’s Pyramid Plot Structure” Handout
BACKGROUND READING:
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The Sandman Volumes I and II
PART ONE: PLOT STRUCTURE
1) THE HERO: Who is doing the action of the plot pyramid? A story structure might be set up so
that there is an archetypical hero performing the action of the story. Share with your
students these key definitions in understanding who is performing the action of the
story.
 Archetype- an enduring character found in the stories we’ve been told throughout our
lives.
 Hero- central figure of a story, the hero may also be called the protagonist.
2) FREYTAG’S PYRAMID PLOT STRUCTURE: Share with students the Freytag’s pyramid plot structure
hand out. The basic plot structure may be familiar to you and your students. Describe each
step of plot structure to your students. The Lion King is used as an example of plotting a
story to the pyramid. You may want to point out to your students that the plot of The Lion
King is actually the same plot as Hamlet by William Shakespeare. This is a good example
of how the structure of storytelling is a literary tradition passed down through the ages.
1. Exposition: Introduction of background information such as setting and characters. Ex:
Simba is born, Pride rock is shown
2. Rising Action: A series on interrelated incidents leads to a larger action Ex: Simba grows
into adult lion while Scar rules over Pride Rock
3. Climax: Turning point which changes the protagonist’s fate. Ex: Simba returns to Pride
Rock to battle Scar
4. Falling Action: Conflict between the protagonist and antagonist comes to a head. Ex: Simba
banishes Scar and defeats his henchmen
5. Denouement/ Resolution: Conflicts are resolved, sense of normality is restored. Ex: Simba
reclaims his birthright as king of Pride Rock
3) PLOT STRUCTURE GUESSING GAME: In order to demonstrate the commonness of the hero archetype
moving through Freytag’s pyramid plot structure, have your class make guesses as to how
many popular action movies they can get to fit into this model in the timespan of five
minutes. It might be helpful to hint to your students to think of superhero movies which
follow the archetypical hero through Freytag’s pyramid.
(ex: The Amazing Spiderman. Hero: Peter Parker 1) Peter is a high school student who
develops superpowers 2) Peter begins fighting crime after the murder of his uncle and
comes into contact with his nemesis (the Lizard) and begins romancing his “dream girl” 3)
Peter unsuccessfully confronts the Lizard 4) the Lizard is defeated in a final battle 5) Peter
becomes comfortable in his new role as Spiderman and “gets the girl.”)
4) DISCUSSION: As a class count up the number of stories you found that follow Freytag’s
pyramid plot structure. Discuss as a class how the commonness of the Freytag pyramid plot
structure may be problematic.
 Does this basic plot structure become boring?
 Does this plot structure reflect the actual conflicts present in real life?
 Is the story of your life reflected by Freytag’s Pyramid plot structure?
 How many stories starred female protagonists?
 How many starred protagonists that are people of color?
 How does the identity of the protagonist impact your enjoyment of the story?
PART TWO: PLOTTING THE SANDMAN VOL. I AND II
As students read each volume in the Sandman series, have them identify a “hero” and plot their
story on the Freytag pyramid. The class will notice that some stories fit perfectly in the plot
pyramid while others do not fit at all. Use the questions below to guide class investigation of
Gaiman’s commentary on the art of storytelling through the story structure of Sandman Volumes
I and II.
This activity can be continued to examine the plot and characters of each volume in the Sandman
series and even individual stories within each volume.
(For example, Volume VIII: At Worlds End, is comprised entirely of stories being told by different
characters stuck together at an inn. Class discussion could investigate: Which characters tell stories
that follow Freytag’s pyramid and contain a hero’s journey? How does the identity of the story
teller impact the plot structure of their stories? Which stories draw in the class as readers? What is
the power of a story?)
VOLUME I: PRELUDES AND NOCTURNES
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Who is the hero of the story?
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How does the hero complete each stage of Freytag’s plot pyramid?
How does the hero (Dream) feel at the conclusion to the events of Volume I: Preludes and
Nocturnes?
How does Dream’s feelings mirror your own feelings at the completion of a “story” in your
life (ex: graduation, birthday, achieving a goal) ?
How does the character Death critique the hero’s journey in her conversation with Dream
at the end of the story?
Why does Death yell at Dream to stop feeling sorry for himself now that his “game is over”
and accuse him of being too cowardly to find a new game? ( Vol. I. p.219)
VOLUME II: THE DOLL’S HOUSE
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Who is the hero of the story?
How does the hero complete each stage of Freytag’s plot pyramid?
Who is established as the “hero” of The Doll’s House?
Is the hero well defined in this story?
How does the hero (Rose Walker, or maybe you found a different or multiple heroes) feel
at the conclusion to the events of Volume II: The Doll’s House?
What critique does Neil Gaiman make of the typical hero’s journey by using multiple
female characters as protagonists in the story?
At the end of the prologue it is revealed that there is a different ending to the story of Nada
and that it is a woman’s tale not known to men. Why would the women have a different
story than the men? Why would women’s speak not be taught to the “men-children” and
why would old Ben be “too wise to learn[it].”?
Freytag’s Pyramid Plot Structure:
3. Climax: Turning point which
changes the protagonist’s fate.
2. Rising Action: A series
on interrelated incidents
leads to a larger action
4. Falling Action:
Conflict between
the protagonist
and antagonist
comes to a head.
Hero: The central
figure of a story, the
hero may also be
called the protagonist.
5. Denouement/ Resolution:
Conflicts are resolved, sense of
normality is restored.
1.
Exposition:
Introduction
of
background information such as setting
and characters.
The Sandman:
Hero/Protagonist:
Exposition:
Rising Action:
Climax:
Falling Action:
Denouement/Resolution:
Vol. I
Vol. II