Introduction

Unit Objectives »At the end of this unit, you should know and further understand: »Some specific Elements of a novel: »Characters’ Traits »Characters’ motivations »Theme »Plot »Setting »Style and presentation

Essential Questions »What makes someone a hero? »How do YOU define a hero? »Who is a hero to you? »What can we do about stereotyping? »How is family important? »What is the importance of a sunset?

Facts About Novels »Novel takes place over time, has several main characters, more than one them »Novels as a form of literature date back to Europe in the 1500’s. »People read them to be entertained, learn about others, to learn new ways of looking at things.

Facts Continued »Similar to a short story because: »Has plot, character, point of view, setting, and theme »Difference to short story: »Larger scope (more development)

Plot »This is what happens in the novel »Key notes: »Can be a logical development of events with linking of scenes or »Can be a series of unrelated scenes which are not shown to be connected until the end of the novel »The plot should be plausible = believable

Plot continued »We’ve already reviewed conflict in your literature book and fiction notes but do you know? »There should be a conflict »Types of Conflict: »Within central characters, »Between characters, or »Between characters and their environment

Plot continued »The Denouement of the plot is when all the little mysteries in the plot are revealed and all the loose ends are tied up. »The pace of the novel slows with the denouement.

Subplot »A subplot is an event or sequence of events that parallels the main plot. »It is another story line happening within the novel. »It can closely resemble the main plot or it can be very different. »For example: there may be some kind of romantic storyline with a conflict within a murder mystery novel

Climax »The climax of the story is the highest point of interest. »Moment when conflict is most intense »Time when the consequences of a character’s actions become inevitable »When all the main points of the plot merge »Sometimes there can be a secondary climax

Setting »The setting of a novel includes a number of different but connected elements. »Time = day or night, summer or winter, the historical period »Place = inside or outside, country or city, specific town, real or fictional »Mood and atmosphere = tense, threatening, nostalgic, happy, light- hearted, eerie, dangerous, etc. »What is the setting in The Outsiders?

Characters »We learn about individual characters by their words and actions »We also learn about individual characters by what the other characters say about them and act towards them. »Believable characters must grow and change in response to their experiences in the novel. »Characters help to advance the plot.

»The theme is the central idea of the novel. »Key points: »It is the author’s purpose in writing. »It is the lesson the author is trying to teach. »The theme gives the story focus and a “point.” »The theme becomes clear by looking at what happens to the major characters. If the main character survives while others don’t, it shows us that his or her behavior is being rewarded by the author.

Symbols »Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. »What are some symbols in The Outsiders and what do they represent? »Some hints are: Two-bit, Greasers, Socs, Bob

Style »Style is the way in which a story is written. »There are four main ways a story can be presented: »The central character tells the story »A non-central character tells the story »The author tells the story in third person but only reveals what can be seen, heard, or thought by a central character. »The author tells the story in third person and reveals what can be seen, heard, or thought by most or all characters.

Style continued »The author’s point of view can be either: »Subjective: the author judges and interprets the characters »Or »Objective: the author presents events but allows the reader to make judgments.

Irony »Irony is an unexpected twist. It reveals something unexpected consequences of actions and words. »It can give depth to characters and plot. »It can help us to understand the theme.

Character Traits »Do you remember what the definition is? »The inner qualities of a person »For example: nice, mean, sweet, harsh, cold, emotional »Character development is very important in the Outsiders and we will be analyzing their character traits along with:

Characters’ Motivation »What is motivation? »We need to analyze the reasons why the characters act they way they do in The Outsiders.

Symbolism »You’ve also already studied symbols in our poetry from Unit 1. »Now you need to be able to identify symbols within the novel and tell what that symbol represents for the character and/or story.

Symbols continued »By the end of the novel, you should be able to identify what symbols are related to the following characters. »Two-bit = »Socs = »Bob = »Greasers =

»You need to be able to describe by physical description and character traits. »Second you need to be able to analyze characters, and/or be able to compare and contrast characters and groups. »Third you need to be able to match a quotation with a character. »The Major Characters »The Greasers »The Socs