Elements of Fiction: Redux AP Lit: Sabolcik If it’s underlined, know the definition, how to identify it in a work of literature, and how to analyze its significance to the work as a whole.

Terms to Know Static Character Dynamic Character Flat Character Stock Character Round Character Protagonist Antagonist Foil Confidante/Confidant 1 st person Narrator Reliable/Unreliable Narrator 2 nd person Narrator 3 rd person Limited Narrator 3 rd person Objective Narrator 3 rd person Omniscient Narrator Direct Characterization Indirect Characterization Setting Internal Conflict External Conflict Theme Subject

Let’s connect Disney films to each of our core fiction terms.

Best Disney Movie? (There is a correct answer)

Character: person presented in a fictional work, one fitting a type and fulfilling a function

Types of Character Static: Does not change; remains (roughly) the same in personality, values, ethos Dynamic: Does change; undergoes growth or regression Flat: Embodies few traits, qualities, ideas Stock: Stereotypical characters; more of a type than individual Round: Displays complexity in quality, beliefs, inconsistencies, conflicts; more realistic

Functions of Characters Protagonist: principal actor of the fiction; central character Antagonist: character, force that opposes the protagonist Foil: character that stands as a distinct contrast from another; highlights values of each other by difference Confidante/Confidant: receives the intimate thoughts of the protagonist without the use of an omniscient narrator Mentor: Provides lessons, advice, guidance for another character

Protagonist:vs.Antagonist: Foils: Confidante: Mentor:

Characterization: Process by which a writer will reveal character traits, histories, and values to the reader Direct Characterization - the author intervenes to describe and sometimes evaluate the character for the reader; TELLS exempli gratia: Chris was a slow runner Indirect Characterization - the author to present a character talking and acting and lets the reader infer what kind of person the character is ; SHOWS e.g.: Chris lagged behind all the other runners in the race and recalled his plethora of participation trophies on his abbreviated mantle Ways of Indirect Characterization: - Appearances- Speech - Private Thoughts- Effect on Others - Actions

Narration – Who is telling the fiction? 1 st person – through the lens of a character; uses “I” and “me” Reliability of Narrator – consider the credibility, biases, and limitations of characters speaking directly to you 2 nd person – instructional, directly from a character to you, the reader; uses “you” and the imperative mood 3 rd person limited - reports only what one character (often the protagonist) sees and who only reports the thoughts of that one privileged character 3 rd person objective - only reports what would be visible to a camera. The objective narrator does not know what any characters are thinking unless the character speaks of it. 3 rd person omniscient - perceives, like God*, into each character’s mind and understands all the action going on.

Setting - physical and social context in which the action of a story occurs Elements of Setting: Geographical Spatial Temporal Social Environmental

Conflict – struggle between opposing forces External - struggle against some outside force, another character, society as a whole, or some natural force Internal - a conflict between forces, persuasions, or emotions within one character.

Theme (Whole) vs. Subject (Part) Theme - the central meaning or dominant idea in a literary work. A theme provides a unifying point around which the plot, characters, setting, point of view, symbols, and other elements of a work are organized. A disagreeable argument/message that the work expresses e.g. parents shouldn’t control their children’s romantic lives (R&J) Subject – the topic of a given text; common subjects for poetry include nature, growing up, growing old, children, and life events. Can be a word or two e.g. love, violence, familial strife