Short Story Analysis

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Short Story Analysis

• Comparing and Contrasting Short Story Selections
  on the Basis of Plot Elements and Literary Terms

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In order to fully understand and appreciate a
selection of realistic fiction, the reader will
benefit from a knowledge of plot elements and
literary terminology. The question is often
asked, What is plot? Plot concerns the
sequence of events in a story, novel, or play.
The plot outline best illustrates this sequence
of events.
Climax
Falling Action
Rising Action
Denouement (Resolution or Conclusion)
Exposition
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• A Closer Look

• at the

• Plot Elements

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Exposition

• Characters
• Setting- time and place
• Dramatic Situation or Problem

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Rising Action

• Includes all of the events leading to the climax-
  the largest portion of the plot
• As the events draw closer to the climax, the
  intensity of the action or situation increases.
• With intensity of action, reader interest grows.

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Climax

• The point of greatest interest in a story
• Usually comes at the turning point in a story or
  drama
• Normally very close to the end of the plot
• Point at which the reader begins to see how the
  problem will be solved

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Falling Action

• The events following the climax
• Located just before the conclusion or denouement
• Is the logical result to the climax

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Denouement

• Resolution or conclusion to the story
• Presents the final outcome

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• To Deepen

• your Understanding

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Narrative Point of View relationship of the
narrator to the story

• First person point of view
• Character in the story does the narrating
  (telling) of the story
• Uses the pronoun I

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More about Narrative Point of View

• Limited third person point of view
• Narrator is outside the story
• Reveals the thoughts of only one character
• Uses the 3rd person pronoun he or she

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Narrative Point of View

• Omniscient point of view
• Means all-knowing
• Narrator is outside the story
• Can reveal thoughts and feelings of any and/or
  all characters
• Uses the 3rd person pronoun he or she

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About Characters

• Characters are the persons or other creatures in
  a literary work.
• Dynamic character- one who changes during the
  story
• Static character- one who remains the same
  throughout the story
• Stereotype- not developed as an individual shows
  traits and
• mannerisms shared by all members of a group

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More about Characters

• Protagonist- central character in a story action
  revolves around this character who is involved in
  the main conflict
• Antagonist- person or force that opposes the
  central character (protagonist)

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In Addition

• Some Important Elements

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Types of Conflict

• External Conflict
• 1) man vs. man
• 2) man vs. society
• 3) man vs. forces of nature
• Internal Conflict- man vs. himself (occurs within
  the mind of the character

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Tone- the attitude of the narrator (author)
toward the characters and the subject of the
story (ex.- eerie, threatening, serious, or
light) Mood- the emotional quality or atmosphere
of the story Theme- the main idea of a story,
poem, novel or play could be implied or directly
stated Symbol- any object, person, place, or
experience that stands for something else because
of a resemblance or association example- a light
could stand for hope
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Daphne and Apollo
Once upon a time when gods and goddesses
walked upon the earth in the country of Greece, a
beautiful huntress named Daphne lived. Alpheus,
the river god, was her father. Even though
Daphne was pursued by many suitors, she rejected
all of them because she so loved her life of
freedom.
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Daphne and Apollo cont.
However, this situation changed when Apollo, the
sun god, saw Daphne in the forest and fell in
love with her. Even though Apollo called to
Daphne, she fled. Apollo, determined to win
Daphnes heart, would not be put off. Being an
excellent runner, Apollo pursued this beautiful
young woman. However, Daphne, too, could run
with the wind. As the chase developed through
the forest, Daphne came to the realization that
she could not outrun Apollo. In desperation,
Daphne called to her father for help .
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Daphne and Apollo cont.
As she cried out, she began to feel herself
becoming rooted to the ground. Her body became
covered with bark, and her arms became branches
and sprouted with leaves. By the time Apollo
reached her, she was completely transformed into
a laurel tree. Experiencing deep despair,
Apollo cried out, Even though you have escaped,
I will never forget you. Winners of all races
will be crowned with your leaves. Even to this
very day, winners receive their laurels. (Story
summarized from the edition of )