The Story

Neoaristotelian analysis Based on Aristotle’s work Ars Poetica Based on Aristotle’s work Ars Poetica Outlines how stories are put together Outlines how stories are put together

Stories contain six elements: Stories contain six elements: Action Action Character Character Thought Thought Diction Diction Music Music Spectacle Spectacle

Action – what happens Starts with an exposition Starts with an exposition What you need to know to understand what follows What you need to know to understand what follows Establishes an equilibrium or status quo Establishes an equilibrium or status quo The problem The problem Something happens to upset the status quo Something happens to upset the status quo Everything in the story is aimed at solving the problem Everything in the story is aimed at solving the problem

Crisis Crisis A point at which the protagonist thinks he/she knows enough about the problem to solve it A point at which the protagonist thinks he/she knows enough about the problem to solve it The solution is applied The solution is applied It’s the wrong answer, creating a It’s the wrong answer, creating a Complication Complication An obstacle to solving the problem, either because the wrong solution made it worse, or something new is added An obstacle to solving the problem, either because the wrong solution made it worse, or something new is added Any story longer than 15 seconds has multiple crises and complications Any story longer than 15 seconds has multiple crises and complications

Climax – the ultimate crisis Climax – the ultimate crisis The protagonist has finally learned enough about the problem through the crises and complications to solve the problem and applies that solution The protagonist has finally learned enough about the problem through the crises and complications to solve the problem and applies that solution Denouement Denouement A final part of the action that may or not be necessary. It shows that the problem has been solved and there are no more problems – we’re back at an equilibrium. A final part of the action that may or not be necessary. It shows that the problem has been solved and there are no more problems – we’re back at an equilibrium.

Character The agents that carry out the action The agents that carry out the action Two words are vital to story telling, and it the characters that do them Two words are vital to story telling, and it the characters that do them Want Want Every character must want something, and every character wants something different. Every character must want something, and every character wants something different. E.g., the villain wants to take over the world, and the hero wants to prevent that E.g., the villain wants to take over the world, and the hero wants to prevent that

Conflict Conflict Since every character wants something different, this creates conflict Since every character wants something different, this creates conflict Without conflict there is no story Without conflict there is no story The problem starts the conflict The problem starts the conflict The climax is the resolution of the problem, and thus ends the conflict The climax is the resolution of the problem, and thus ends the conflict When the conflict is over, so’s the story When the conflict is over, so’s the story

Thought Why the story is being told Why the story is being told To affect the audience’s sense of what the world is and their role in the world To affect the audience’s sense of what the world is and their role in the world Can follow the rules of society Can follow the rules of society Can define the rules of society Can define the rules of society Can create the rules of society Can create the rules of society

Diction / Music / Spectacle How the story is told How the story is told Diction = the words used and how they’re said Diction = the words used and how they’re said Music = what we hear, including music and sound effects Music = what we hear, including music and sound effects Spectacle = what we see, including setting, lighting, costumes, make-up, relationships, angles, etc. Spectacle = what we see, including setting, lighting, costumes, make-up, relationships, angles, etc.

Why is this important?

Humans aren’t really homo sapiens (wise man) but pan narrans (the story telling chimp)

Heru

Selene

Luna

George Washington

James Watt

Thomas Newcomen’s engine

Hero of Alexandria

Goldilocks

Societies Tribal Tribal “This is the way we’ve always done it.” “This is the way we’ve always done it.” Barbarian Barbarian Personal; heroes vs. villains Personal; heroes vs. villains Civilized Civilized Learn from mistakes and progress to higher levels Learn from mistakes and progress to higher levels