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Identifying the Climax in Literature
By Mrs. Shoulders Climax Rising Action Falling Action Denouement Exposition
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A Review of Plot Elements
Exposition: “sets the scene,” includes main characters, setting, and the conflict Rising Action: the events, involving the conflict, that the protagonist and antagonist go through to reach the climax Climax: the point in the narrative where something changes in or for the protagonist Falling Action: the “fall out” of the climax, what happens immediately after Denouement: the resolution of the conflict
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Climax Defined The protagonist must be part of the climax.
There is a change or turning point that involves the protagonist. The conflict is present in the climax. The climax is often the part of the narrative that reaches an emotional or intense high point BUT remember that a change must occur for the protagonist.
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Steps to Locating Climax
Locate the protagonist and setting. Identify the conflict – what problem is the protagonist having? How is the conflict resolved? What was happening as the conflict was resolved that helped to change something in the protagonist?
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Let’s Try It! Read the poem
Life is Fine I took the elevator by Langston Hughes Sixteen floors above the ground. I thought about my baby I went down to the river, And thought I would jump down. I set down on the bank. I stood there and I hollered! I tried to think but couldn't, I stood there and I cried! So I jumped in and sank. If it hadn't a-been so high I came up once and hollered! I might've jumped and died. I came up twice and cried! But it was High up there! It was high! If that water hadn't a-been so cold I might've sunk and died. But it was Cold in that water! It was cold! So since I'm still here livin', I guess I will live on. I could've died for love— But for livin' I was born Though you may hear me holler, And you may see me cry— I'll be dogged, sweet baby, If you gonna see me die.
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Which lines show/infer protagonist and setting?
Life is Fine I took the elevator by Langston Hughes Sixteen floors above the ground. I thought about my baby I went down to the river, And thought I would jump down. I set down on the bank. I stood there and I hollered! I tried to think but couldn't, I stood there and I cried! So I jumped in and sank. If it hadn't a-been so high I came up once and hollered! I might've jumped and died. I came up twice and cried! But it was High up there! It was high! If that water hadn't a-been so cold I might've sunk and died. But it was Cold in that water! It was cold! So since I'm still here livin', I guess I will live on. I could've died for love— But for livin' I was born Though you may hear me holler, And you may see me cry— I'll be dogged, sweet baby, If you gonna see me die.
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Which lines show the conflict?
Life is Fine I took the elevator by Langston Hughes Sixteen floors above the ground. I thought about my baby I went down to the river, And thought I would jump down. I set down on the bank. I stood there and I hollered! I tried to think but couldn't, I stood there and I cried! So I jumped in and sank. If it hadn't a-been so high I came up once and hollered! I might've jumped and died. I came up twice and cried! But it was High up there! It was high! If that water hadn't a-been so cold I might've sunk and died. But it was Cold in that water! It was cold! So since I'm still here livin', I guess I will live on. I could've died for love— But for livin' I was born Though you may hear me holler, And you may see me cry— I'll be dogged, sweet baby, If you gonna see me die.
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How was the conflict resolved?
Life is Fine I took the elevator by Langston Hughes Sixteen floors above the ground. I thought about my baby I went down to the river, And thought I would jump down. I set down on the bank. I stood there and I hollered! I tried to think but couldn't, I stood there and I cried! So I jumped in and sank. If it hadn't a-been so high I came up once and hollered! I might've jumped and died. I came up twice and cried! But it was High up there! It was high! If that water hadn't a-been so cold I might've sunk and died. But it was Cold in that water! It was cold! So since I'm still here livin', I guess I will live on. I could've died for love— But for livin' I was born Though you may hear me holler, And you may see me cry— I'll be dogged, sweet baby, If you gonna see me die.
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When did the protagonist change while the conflict was resolving?
Life is Fine I took the elevator by Langston Hughes Sixteen floors above the ground. I thought about my baby I went down to the river, And thought I would jump down. I set down on the bank. I stood there and I hollered! I tried to think but couldn't, I stood there and I cried! So I jumped in and sank. If it hadn't a-been so high I came up once and hollered! I might've jumped and died. I came up twice and cried! But it was High up there! It was high! If that water hadn't a-been so cold I might've sunk and died. But it was Cold in that water! It was cold! So since I'm still here livin', I guess I will live on. I could've died for love— But for livin' I was born Though you may hear me holler, And you may see me cry— I'll be dogged, sweet baby, If you gonna see me die.
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This is the climax because…
Protagonist/Setting: A distressed narrator found himself by a river and atop a building. Conflict: The distressed narrator wanted to kill himself over lost love but didn’t. Resolution: Narrator chooses to live and to never be brought down that low by love again. The change occurs when the narrator decides he “will live on.” This is the climax of the narrative!
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