CONFLICT AND SETTING

ELEMENTS OF A STORY

PROTAGONIST  The protagonist is the main character in a literary work. He or she is usually seen as good, upright, respectable, and always attempting to take the proper course of action. However, the protagonist is not always good.  Katniss has many qualities in The Hunger Games that are not respectable or “good,” yet she is still the protagonist as she is the main character of the book.

ANTAGONIST  The antagonist in a literary work stands in opposition to the protagonist. In most novels, the protagonists and antagonists will be clearly distinct and remain consistent.  In general, the antagonist will be viewed as bad, wicked, or malicious. Even if dominated by negative traits, however, the antagonist can be just as significant and complex a character as the protagonist.  Ex. Cato, President Snow, etc.

CONFLICT  Conflict aka "the Hook": A struggle between two opposing characters or forces

CHARACTER’S STRUGGLE AGAINST NATURE  Man vs. Nature  When a character must overcome some natural obstacle or condition, a conflict with nature occurs.  Floods, snowstorms, insects, and animals may all constitute a conflict with nature. Also, things like famine or disease are conflicts with nature.  Jonas vs. weather, starving, etc. when leaving the community

CHARACTER’S STRUGGLE AGAINST AN ANTAGONIST  Man vs. Man  A struggle between two people  Jonas vs. Asher

CHARACTER’S STRUGGLE AGAINST SOCIETY  Man vs. Society  A struggle against society occurs when a character is at odds with a particular social force or condition produced by society, such as poverty, political revolution, a social convention, or set of values.  Jonas vs. the community

INTERNAL CONFLICT  Man vs. Himself  Within a character, aspects of his or her personality may struggle for dominance. These aspects may be emotional, intellectual, or moral.  Such conflicts typically leave the character indecisive and agitated. When such conflicts are resolved, the resolution may be successful or unsuccessful.  Jonas vs. himself when trying to decide whether or not remaining the Receiver is the right thing

SETTING  The story’s time and place.  Includes simple attributes (climate or wall décor) or complex dimensions (historical moment the story occupies or its significant cultural issues).  Setting is often developed with narrative description, but it may also be shown with action, dialogue, or a character’s thoughts.  One of the primary ways that a fiction writer establishes mood (the underlying feeling or atmosphere produced by a story )