Parallel Episodes, Subplots, and Climax

1. Parallel Episodes, Subplots, and Climax Class Notes

2. Parallel Episodes • Definition: Repeated elements or recurring events throughout the course of a story. • Examples: • “The Three Little Pigs”: The wolf goes to the the first pig’s house and blows it down, then he goes to the second pig’s house and blows it down. Finally, he goes to the third pig’s house, but he cannot blow it down because it is made of brick. • The Diary of Anne Frank: Mr. Van Daan steals food while the rest of the residents sleep, but he does not get caught. Later in the story Mr. Van Daan attempts to steal food as the residents sleep, but he is caught red-handed.

3. Subplots • Definition: A minor plot that relates in some way to the major story (main plot) • Examples: • The Diary of Anne Frank: Peter and Anne develop a close relationship during their years in the annex. This plot is secondary to the main plot of the families living in hiding. • “The Treasure of Lemon Brown”: Greg Ridley and Lemon Brown have to work together to thwart off neighborhood thugs. This plot is secondary to the main plot of Lemon helping Greg to resolve his problems with Mr. Ridley.

4. Climax • Definition: The turning point of the story. That is, the point at which the outcome of the story becomes clear. • Examples: • The Diary of Anne Frank: The climax occurs when it becomes apparent that the Nazis have discovered the secret annex and will take the annex residents to concentration camps. • Monster: The climax occurs when Steve is found “not guilty”by the jury. • “The Medicine Bag”: The climax occurs when Martin’s grandfather gives him the medicine bag and Martin accepts it.

5. Assignment • Read “The Wise Old Woman” as retold by Yoshiko Uchida. • Find examples of the following and record them on your guided notes sheet: • Parallel Episodes • Subplot • Climax

6. What parallel episodes did you notice in the story? • Example One: Just as the other villagers had to make the trek to the mountains to die when they turned 71, the farmer’s son accompanies his mother to the mountains to die when she turns 71; the difference is, the young farmer sneaks his mother back home. • Example Two: Lord Higa threatens to conquer the village in which the farmer and his mother live three times, and all three times, the farmer’s mother knows how to complete the task. These three episodes all parallel each other.

7. What subplot did you notice in the story? • The story of Lord Higa and his threats to overtake the village is a subplot. • This is secondary to the main plot of the village lord’s discrimination against the elderly.

8. What is the climax of the story? • The climax of the story occurs when the village lord realizes “how much wisdom and knowledge old people possess” because of the wise of woman and decides that the elderly “will be treated with the respect and honor they deserve.”

9. Assignment • Independently find examples of the following in your literature circle book and record them on your guided notes sheet. (We will share out as groups tomorrow!): • Parallel Episodes • Subplot(s) • Climax • If you have not read this far into your book, make a prediction for what you think the climax might be. Explain why you think this will be the turning point of your story. How will the story end if this is the climax? • DUE BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TOMORROW.