○ Self: internal conflict, motivations, values
○ Others: foils, rivals, allies
○ Environment: setting, nature, social hierarchy, politics
○ Destiny: purpose
○ Conflict always results in CHANGE
■ Can either result in submission or rebellion from characters
○ A narrator’s tone or attitude can be determined by analyzing:
■ The diction used
■ Connotations
■ Whether or not the narrator is omniscient
■ Look for irony
■ Look deeply for the contrast in how a character perceives themself and the narrator’s perception and attitude toward the character
● Round: major characters in the story, who are often found in contradictory situations, which forces them to undergo transformation
● Static: character that does not undergo any significant change
● Dynamic: character that undergoes a major transition
● Flat: character that does not change too much from beginning to end
● Villain: antagonist; the “bad guy”
● Plot: sequence of events which involves the characters in conflict
○ Sequence of events
○ Chronological: events are told in order as to how they occurred
○ Flashback: occurs when the author narrates an event that took place in the past, before the current time of the event.
○ Time Lapse/Flash Forward: occurs when the author skips forward time periods
● Conflict: struggle between the protagonist and opposing forces
○ Exposition: explanation of the situation and condition of characters; the beginning of the story
○ Rising action: the conflict is introduced for the protagonist to solve. Tension is usually building up, leading to complications.
○ Climax: turning point of the action
■ No new further action
■ Protagonist makes a decision and attempts to solve the problem
○ Denouement/falling action: ending; part after the climax giving an explanation and resolving the story.
■ Closed: reader feels that they know what will happen; ending is definite
■ Open: reader must infer on the ending
■ Cliffhanger: abrupt ending during the exciting part
○ Suspense: state of tension and uncertainty
○ Foreshadowing: planting hints on what will happen next or in the future
○ Coincidence: when events or situations happen by chance’
○ Inevitability: the result or outcome of the situation is necessary and would have occurred anyways; inescapable
○ Sensationalism: unrelieved suspense; violent
○ Sentimentality: overuse of sentimental value
○ A setting, object, character, or event in a story that expresses not only a literal meaning, but also a figurative meaning that is deep and significant; represents a certain idea.
○ Examples:
■ A dove is literally a white bird. However, as a symbol, it may represent peace, innocence, hope, purity, and simplicity.
■ Literally red is simply a color. However, figuratively it may represent blood, passion, seduction, jealousy, danger, and death
● Problem With Symbols:
○ People expect them to mean something (pin down a single meaning, which does not always work)
○ Many readers expect symbols to be objects and images rather than events or actions
○ Convey a certain message
○ This means that it represents a form of universal theme, where this message is able to relate and cover numerous ideas and topics because it is so broad and common.
■ For instance, a family does not get along well in a society where they crave the attention of the wealthy. They often fight amongst each other, and judge one another based on their appearances and reputation amongst the wealthy.
● An allegory to this statement is that jealousy brews from desire and desperation, for people crave to be a delusion they created. Societal hierarchy and class is also a major allegory.