Elements of Fiction

Theme Main idea that the work communicates Communicated by all of the rest of the elements: plot, character, setting, point of view NOT a topic such as change or confronting evil. The theme is what the author is saying ABOUT the topic. The theme MUST be stated in a complete sentence: Hesitation in acting can lead to tragedy. Evil resides deep within most men People must respond to change in external circumstances by changing internally, or they perish. Change is difficult, not only for the person who changes, but also for those surrounding that person who must face that change.

Plot—Pyramid Climax--dramatic Complication Denouement Exposition Conflict

Conflict Man vs Man------- Luke vs Darth Vader Man vs Nature---- Dmitri vs the wolves Man vs Self------- Hamlet vs his uncertainty Man vs Society--- Elizabeth Bennet vs social conventions of her day Man vs Fate------- Oedipus vs the prophecies

Characterization: Techniques & Tools Description Actions Dialogue Thoughts What others say about the character

Types of Characters Well rounded—reader sees many facets of character Flat—reader sees only one aspect of character Stereotyped Character “type” Stock characters: conventional character types common to kinds of lit (melodrama: evil villain, doughty hero, vulnerable heroine) Dynamic—character changes during the story (often learns from action of the story) Static---character remains the same during the story All flat characters are static, but not all static characters are flat.

Function of Characters Protagonist—main character in a work Antagonist---opposes protagonist Foil---through strong contrast of characteristics underscores or enhances distinctive characteristics of another (classic example: Hamlet/Laertes or Horatio)

Setting Time Place Functions: Sets up action Antagonist Symbol “Pathetic Fallacy”

Point of View First Person—Narrator---I/we Second Person—you Naïve narrator Untrustworthy narrator Second Person—you Rarely used in fiction Third Person—he/she/it/they Omniscient—”all knowing” –sees thoughts of all characters Limited—sees thoughts of only 1-2 characters Objective—”scenic”—no one’s thoughts—what an observer would see

Tone Attitude of the author expressed in the work (think tone of voice—what tone to read it?) Can be: serious, playful, despairing, scary, ironic, etc. Different from Atmosphere—emotions evoked in reader from the work, usually in beginning or from setting: can again be serious, scary, humorous,

Irony Verbal—sarcasm—says one thing to mean the opposite Dramatic—reader/viewer/other characters know that truth is the opposite from what the character says; the character is unaware Situational—events/motives lead reader/viewer to believe one thing will happen, but the opposite happens, or actions bring about the opposite from what is intended