Elements of Fiction

Setting: The time, place and period in which the action takes place. The Scarlet Ibis: Southeastern part of US, 1918, near the end of WWI The Scarlet Ibis: Southeastern part of US, 1918, near the end of WWI The Stolen Party: Argentina, past, at a party The Stolen Party: Argentina, past, at a party

The setting can help in the portrayal of a character. "...it was so quiet and lonesome out, even though it was Saturday night. I didn't see hardly anybody on the street. Now and then you just saw a man and a girl crossing the street with their arms around each other's waists and all, or a bunch of hoodlumy-looking guys and their dates, all of them laughing like hyenas at something you could bet wasn't funny. New York's terrible when somebody laughs on the street very late at night. You can hear it for miles. It makes you feel so lonesome and depressed." The Catcher in the Rye (p. 81) "...it was so quiet and lonesome out, even though it was Saturday night. I didn't see hardly anybody on the street. Now and then you just saw a man and a girl crossing the street with their arms around each other's waists and all, or a bunch of hoodlumy-looking guys and their dates, all of them laughing like hyenas at something you could bet wasn't funny. New York's terrible when somebody laughs on the street very late at night. You can hear it for miles. It makes you feel so lonesome and depressed." The Catcher in the Rye (p. 81) What does this passage say about the character? What words support your answer?

In some works of fiction, action is so closely related to the setting that the plot is directed by it. "After we had drifted a long way, I put the oars in place and made Doodle row back against the tide. Black clouds began to gather in the southwest, and he kept watching them, trying to pull the oars a little faster. When we reached Horsehead Landing, lightning was playing across half the sky and thunder roared out, hiding even the sound of the sea....Doodle was both tired and frightened and when he stepped from the skiff he collapsed onto the mud, sending an armada of fiddler crabs rustling off into the marsh grass." The Scarlet Ibis (p. 618) "After we had drifted a long way, I put the oars in place and made Doodle row back against the tide. Black clouds began to gather in the southwest, and he kept watching them, trying to pull the oars a little faster. When we reached Horsehead Landing, lightning was playing across half the sky and thunder roared out, hiding even the sound of the sea....Doodle was both tired and frightened and when he stepped from the skiff he collapsed onto the mud, sending an armada of fiddler crabs rustling off into the marsh grass." The Scarlet Ibis (p. 618) Would Doodle's fate be the same if they weren't at Horsehead Landing?

The setting can establish the atmosphere of a work. "During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heaven, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country." The Fall of the House of User" by Edgar Allan Poe "During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heaven, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country." The Fall of the House of User" by Edgar Allan Poe Remember Tone creates mood & atmosphere. What words help identify the tone and influence the atmosphere?

Characters Round Character: convincing, true to life Round Character: convincing, true to life Dynamic Character: undergoes some type of change in the story Dynamic Character: undergoes some type of change in the story Flat Character: stereotyped, shallow, often symbolic Flat Character: stereotyped, shallow, often symbolic Static Character: does not change in the course of the story Static Character: does not change in the course of the story The people (or animals, things, etc.) who take part in the action of the story.

Characters Protagonist: Main character or hero of the story Protagonist: Antagonist: Character in opposition to the protagonist. Antagonist could be a force of nature. Antagonist: Character in opposition to the protagonist. Antagonist could be a force of nature. If Doodle is the protagonist, why is his brother the antagonist and not Doodle's weak heart?

Methods of Characterization How do we figure out what type of people the characters are? Direct quotes from the story. "He was nice, like someone you meet in your dreams" Direct quotes from the story. "He was nice, like someone you meet in your dreams" The character's own words and actions. Reaction of other characters. Physical Appearances Character's thoughts.

Plot The series or sequence of events and actions that takes place in a story.

Elements of Plot The plot revolves around the conflict. ManManMan Man ManManNature Nature Society Society Himself Himself ManMan ManMan vs.

Resolution: The conclusion, reveals the final outcome and ties up loose ends. Climax: The turning point. The most intense moment (either mentally or in action) Exposition: The beginning of the story. Introduces setting & characters. Describes the way things are before the action starts. Rising Action: The conflict becomes clear and suspense builds as the characters struggle to resolve the conflict. Leads to climax. Plot Sequenc e: Falling Action: All of the action that follows the climax. Conflict may be solved but not yet fully worked out.

Point of View: Who is telling the story? Objective Point of View: The author tells what happens without expressing what the characters think or feel. Limited Omniscient Point of View: Narrator's knowledge is limited to one character, but knows how that one character thinks and feels. Limited Omniscient Point of View: Narrator's knowledge is limited to one character, but knows how that one character thinks and feels. First Person Point of View: Story is told from the point of view of one of the characters who uses the first person pronouns I, me, my Second Person Point of View: The narrator addresses the reader intimately as you. This is rarely used. From what point of view is the Scarlet Ibis told? Omniscient Third Person Point of View: Narrator is not a character in the story but knows all the characters' thoughts and feelings. Pronouns used are he, she, they

Theme: a review The theme of a piece of fiction is its central idea. It usually contains some insight into the human condition. In most short stories, the theme can be expressed in a single sentence. Most themes are not obvious and must be inferred by the reader. In longer works of fiction, the central theme is often accompanied by a number of lesser, related themes, or there may be two or more central themes. Themes should be stated as a generalization. Gather informationGather information Look for things in common among the factsLook for things in common among the facts Form a general statement about the related facts & make sure all facts fit.Form a general statement about the related facts & make sure all facts fit. Gather informationGather information Look for things in common among the factsLook for things in common among the facts Form a general statement about the related facts & make sure all facts fit.Form a general statement about the related facts & make sure all facts fit.

Create a general statement about the following: The narrator wanted to smother Doodle with a pillow. The narrator violently pulled Doodle in his go-cart, trying to tip him over. The narrator didn't want a brother that wasn't "all there". The narrator taught Doodle to walk because he was embarrassed of him. The narrator was mean to his brother, Doodle.

Symbolism: A symbol represents an idea, quality, or concept larger than itself. A journey can symbolize life. Water may represent a new beginning. Black can represent evil or death. A lion could be a symbol of courage. What is symbolic in The Scarlet Ibis?

Other Elements: Allusion: a reference to a person, place or literary, historical, artistic, mythological source or event. Dialogue: a conversation between two or more of the characters. Foreshadowing: early clues about what will happen later in a piece of fiction. Irony: a difference between what is expected and reality (what actually happens). Style: a writer's individual and distinct way of writing. This distinguishes one author's writing from another's.

Other Elements: Structure: the way time moves through a novel. Chronological: starts at the beginning and moves through time. Flashback: starts in the present and then goes back to the past. Circular: Starts in the present, flashes back to the past, and returns to the present at the conclusion. Panel: same story told from different viewpoints.