Day 4: Understanding Plot

1. Lit Types LAP 1: Short Stories Day 4: Understanding Plot

2. Elements of Plot • Exposition: The characters are introduced, the setting is established, and necessary background information is provided. • Rising Action: The main character encounters and tries to solve a problem. This results in a conflict developing and growing in intensity. • Climax: At this crucial moment, the main character has to take action or make a decision. Sometimes, fate intervenes and forces the character’s hand.

3. Elements of Plot (continued) • Falling Action: This part of the story explores the events that follow the climax, including the results of the main character’s action or decision. • Resolution: This part of a story is sometimes called the dénouement. At this point, the conflict is resolved. • A plot diagram is a useful tool for keeping track of all the parts of the plot.

4. Plot and Conflict • A plot revolves around some type of conflict, or struggle. Usually, throughout the course of a story, a central conflict is introduced, developed, and resolved. • Internal Conflict: a struggle that takes place within a character. • External Conflict: a struggle that takes place between a character and some outside force.

5. Plot and Organization • A story has to have a beginning and an end. A story’s plot, therefore, is often framed by time. • Most stories are told in chronological order: meaning that the writer unfolds events in the order in which they occur. • Sometimes authors play with this time sequence. • A flashback interrupts the chronological sequence of a literary work and presents an event that occurred earlier. • Writers use foreshadowing to present hints or clues to events that will occur later in a story.

6. Saki’s “Interlopers” • A plot diagram is a useful tool for keeping track of all the parts of the plot. • Directions: With a partner, fill out the plot diagram for “Interlopers”. Be prepared to share some of your diagram with the class.

7. Exposition • Protagonist: Ulrich von Graduitz • Antagonist: Georg Zhaeym • Setting-time: 1800’s • Setting-place: eastern spurs of Carpathians (mountains in Europe) • Internal conflict: stubbornness/strong-will • External conflict: The feud and the storm

8. Rising Action 1. The feud has lasted three generations. 2. Georg has been seen trespassing on Ulrich’s land- hunting. 3. Ulrich and Georg grow older and get tired of their families feud. 4. They both round up men to kill one-another. 5. Ulrich is keeping an eye out for Georg. 6. Both men are on the Ulrich land. 7. They end up meeting each other, both with rifles in his hand. 8. Lightening struck a tree and it fell on both men. 9. Both men are trapped and badly injured.

9. Climax • Ulrich decides to speak on the ridiculousness of the feud and asks for friendship and the men decide to be friends.

10. Falling Action 10. They decide to work together as friends. 11. They agree to call/yell for help. 12. They see/hear someone in the distance. 13. They assume it’s Ulrich’s men.

11. Resolution • It’s not Ulrich’s men…it’s wolves. • Author’s Theme: Forgiveness • Foreshadowing: “…there was a disturbing element in the forest…”

12. Would you rather…? • Would you rather… be offered a mosquito net or a butterfly net as an amenity in the jungle? Why? • Would you rather… condone an act of betrayal or an act of kindness? Why? • Would you rather… animate a friend who is shy or a friend who is confident? Why?

13. Would you rather…? • Would you rather… be accused of an offense based on tangible evidence or on a futile investigation? Why? • Would you rather… be trapped in an elevator with a person with a troubled mind or an analytical mind? Why? • Would you rather… be welcomed solicitously or sense a palpable antagonism by a crowd at your homecoming? Why?