Narrative Elements pt. 1 Mr. Colin Boucher ENG4U Narrative Elements (telling a story)

THEME: Definition = a central unifying idea that helps to understand a work as a whole. Can be a simple idea, such as progress or jealousy. Can also be a more complex idea or message, such as communities can only truly be unified when materialism is forgotten.

More Details About Theme: the central idea or message NOT the subject of the work or the plot a perception about human life rarely stated directly, rather inferred revealed by the way characters change in a story, conflicts in the story, and statements made by the narrator or characters Therefore, understanding theme involves understanding plot, characterization, and setting.

SETTING: the location and time frame in which the action of a narrative takes place. Includes the geographical location and the historical location Ex: Hamlet is set in Denmark in the late medieval period (15th Century) Can be real or imaginary.

PROTAGONIST: the central character of a literary work (novel, play, story, or poem). Conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) usually revolves around this person. Not always the “good guy”. Sometimes referred to as the hero or heroine. Add antagonist, and other types of characters (flat and dynamic character)

CONFLICT: A struggle between opposing forces in a story or play. Is usually resolved by the end of the work. The conflict may occur within a character as well as between characters. Most works have many conflicts, and there are 5 types:

TYPES OF CONFLICT: INDIVIDUAL VS. INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL VS. SOCIETY INDIVIDUAL VS. NATURE INDIVIDUAL VS. SELF INDIVIDUAL VS. GOD/UNIVERSE Add: Overview of Plot (rising, climax, falling action), ; Mood/ Atmosphere; Point of View (1, 2, 3/omnipotent)