English 12
Plot
Definition of Plot
-the sequencing of incidents or events which compose the story (the happenings in the story
rather the description or analysis)
-beginner reader tends to see the plot as only content and tendency to ignore its significance
-more mature reader reads for revelation of character and/or life presented by means of the plot
-all stories may have action, but worthwhile story usually has significant action
Conflict
-action to be meaningful usually comes from some sort of conflict (clash of opposing forces be
they actions, ideas, cultures, or wills)
-traditional way to view conflict as
1.
human against human
2.
human against the environment (physical, society, 'fate')
3.
human against oneself
[ 4.
human against the supernatural ]
-a more mature reader may see conflict as
1.
physical
2.
mental
3.
emotional
4.
moral
5.
social
-conflict must involve a protagonist (central character in the conflict) and an antagonist
(forces arrayed against the main character)
-in some stories the conflict is single, clear-cut, one-dimensional
-in others it is multi-dimensional or there are a variety of conflicts
-but usually one central conflict which helps reader to understand protagonist and plot outline
Use of Suspense
-device used to develop plot and keep reader's interest
-different in various genres of literature ("cliff-hanger", "who-dun-it?")
-thus range from crude to subtle
-may be concerned not only with actions but also with psychological considerations and
moral issues
-suspense achieved in variety of ways (some are)
1.
mystery ( unusual set of circumstances) - the unknown
2.
protagonist placed in a dilemma (choice between two undesirable courses of
actions)
3.
setting (and atmosphere)
4.
dangerous situations and crisis (turning point in action where character must make a
decision so as to determine an outcome)
5.
use of surprise, especially surprise endings
-should judge effectiveness of use of surprise by
a.
the fairness with which it is achieved
b.
the purpose which its serves
6.
Story and Structure -Plot
use of coincidence (see definition page 2)
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Plot Structure
-traditional plot structure
Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
Denouement
Introduction
Conclusion
Inciting incident
-denouement (solution or unravelling of the main conflict)
-such an examination is not likely to take the reader into clear understanding of the story
-plot is important for what it reveals not only for what happens
-useful to examine how incidents and episodes are connected and why since such an
examination is a test of the story's probability and unity
Endings
-three basic types of endings based on outcome of the main conflict:
1.
2.
3.
happy ending - the conflict is resolved in favour of the protagonist
unhappy ending - the conflict is resolved in favour of the antagonist
-justified in effective short stories because it
a.
illuminates real life more accurately
b.
makes us think more about life
indeterminate ending - the conflict doesn't appear to be resolved
-should evalute ending not by what type it is, but
1. by whether is is logical in terms of what precedes it in the story
2. by the fullness of insight/revelation it provides
Artist Unity
-good plot needs artistic unity (all in story ir relevant, all contribute to the total meaning,
all advances central intention of the story)
-artist unity can be achieved
1.
when writer exercises rigorous selection (all advances intention of plot)
2.
incidents and episodes placed in an effective order (chronological, logical,
psychological) but when arranged chronologically should make sense
3.
if events lead naturally from last one and logically to the next (cause-and-effect)
4.
if plot is appropriately managed and not entirely manipulated (quality of
inevitability to plot)
-plot manipulation -when writer gives a story a turn unjustified by situation or
characters involved
-use of coincidence (chance occurrence of two events which have a peculiar
correspondence or relationship) and chance (occurrence of an event which
has no apparent cause in preceding events)
-chance or coincidence may intiate plot or complicate it but should not resolve it
-the analysis of a story through its central conflict is likely to be fruitful
-yet never get very far by analysis of plot alone, since plot is inextricable from character
and total meaning
Story and Structure -Plot
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Terms Related to Plot
plot
fiction
incident
action
plot outline
introduction
inciting incident
rising action
climax
falling action
denouement
conclusion
conflict
internal
external
physical
moral
social
mental/emotional
one-dimensional
multi-dimensional
protagonist
antagonist
happy ending
unhappy ending
indeterminate ending
Story and Structure -Plot
setting
emotional setting
atmosphere
tone
physical setting
suspense
mystery
dilemma
crisis
surprise
coincidence
chance
foreshadowing
artistic unity
plot manipulation
narrative hook
deus ex machina
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