1. Kern Khanna
Freytag’s Pyramid

2. Parts of Freytag’s Pyramid
Freytag’s Pyramid is divided into seven parts.
-exposition
-inciting incident
-rising action
-climate
-falling action
-resolution
-dénouement
Freytag’s Pyramid is used to analyze a work such as short story like “The Cask of Amontillado.”
Gustav Freytag ( ) discovered Freytag’s Pyramid. He was a 19th century novelist who saw patterns in books and developed a diagram called a Freytag’s Pyramid from his analysis.
Stories can stop and star in Freytag’s pyramid. Occasionally, there is no Exposition or there could be no Resolution. The reader must imagine what happens in this case.

3. Exposition-Freytag’s Pyramid
Freytag’s Pyramid is divided into seven parts. The first part of Freytag’s Pyramid is called the Exposition.
The Exposition introduces the story . The setting and mood (atmosphere) are established at the beginning of the story.
The reader meets the protagonists (main characters) and learn more about the lives of the protagonists. The reader usually knows the positions, circumstances, and relationships to one another at the end of the Exposition.
The Exposition also includes the Inciting Incident . The Inciting Incident starts the conflict and is referred to as the “complication” or narrative hook.” It sets off the conflict of the story.

4. Rising Action-Freytag’s Pyramid
Freytag’s Pyramid is divided into seven parts. The third part of Freytag’s Pyramid is called the Rising Action.
The Rising Action is the series of events of event that help lead to the dramatic climax. It is the series of events, conflicts, and crises in the story that lead up to the climax, providing the progressive intensity, and complicate the conflict
The reader knows more about the conflict. In a short time, the conflict is about to end and the final event is supposed to occur.
The Inciting Incident in “The Cask of Amontillado” could be the time when Montresor and Fortunado are walking to the Amontillado in Montresor’s vaults.

5. Climax-Freytag’s Pyramid
Freytag’s Pyramid is divided into seven parts. The fourth part of Freytag’s Pyramid is called the Climax.
The Climax is the main event of the story. Usually, it is when the conflict/crucial event takes place. The protagonist now moves towards the unavoidable end. It can be either an action OR a decision. It is the deciding event of the story where the plot usually ends. It is like “the hinge of a door.”
The Climax in “The Fall of the House of Usher” could be when Madeline returns from the dead and fights Roderick.

6. Falling Action-Freytag’s Pyramid
Freytag’s Pyramid is divided into seven parts. The fifth part of Freytag’s Pyramid is called the Climax.
The Falling Action is the time from the climax to the end. The end is inevitable. Occasionally, the protagonist is involved with a few other conflicts as the story closes to the end. is the main event of the story. The end is about to be explained and a final explanation is about to be given about the story.

7. Resolution-Freytag’s Pyramid
Freytag’s Pyramid is divided into seven parts. The sixth and seventh part of Freytag’s Pyramid is called the Resolution and Dénouement.
The Resolution is the end of the story: the conclusion. It ties the loose threads and ends of the story. The protagonist usually wins his battle and emerges in victory or he loses in defeat.
The Dénouement is the complete opposite to the Exposition . The author end the story with a final explanation and explain what the protagonists feel about the situation
The Resolution and Dénouement in “The Cask of Amontillado” is when Montresor explains that nobody has disturbed Fortunado for half a century.