SHORT STORY NOTES Fall 2013

Transcription

1 SHORT STORY NOTES Fall 2013

2 I. WHAT IS THE SHORT STORY? A. Prose fiction (ordinary language) B. 7,000-10,000 words C. Can be read in one sitting

3 II. WHY IS THE SHORT STORY IMPORTANT? A. It is a distinct art form, a genre. B. Every word counts. The author carefully selects every word and action. C. It is a form of literature cultivated by American writers. D. It is ideal for high school study because it is short.

4 III. BACKGROUND INFORMATION A. Originated in the United States B. Established in the mid-19 th century (1850 s) C. Edgar Allen Poe is considered the Father of the Short Story

5 LITERARY ELEMENTS

6 I. SETTING A. When and where the story takes place B. Establishes the atmosphere of the story C. What are the requirements of setting? 1. Time 2. Place 3. General environment 4. Mood- the feeling the reader gets from reading the story 5. Tone- the author s attitude about the story

7 II. CHARACTERIZATION Characterization- methods used by the author to let the reader get to know the characters A. Direct method of characterization-the author directly tells the reader something about the character (She is kind.)

8 II. CHARACTERIZATION (CONTINUED) B. Indirect method of characterization-the reader draws a conclusion about the character based on 1. Character s name 2. Character s appearance (how he/she looks, clothes worn, etc.) 3. What the character says 4. What the character thinks and feels 5. What the character does (actions) 6. What other people think of the character 7. How animals react to the character (ex. Animals growl)

9 C. TYPES OF CHARACTERS 1. Protagonist-the main character who is trying to reach a goal 2. Antagonist-the character who antagonizes, who causes problems in the story; the antagonist may be an obstacle rather than a person at times 3. Flat character-character with only one trait, one-sided, no depth 4. Round character-a complex character, many-sided, realistic, more traits are given or observed in this type of character

10 C. TYPES OF CHARACTERS (CONTINUED) 5. Static character-does not change during the story (in personality, maturity, beliefs, etc.) 6. Dynamic character-changes, usually for the better, due to events in the story 7. Foil-This character serves as a contrast for another character; often the characteristics of the foils appear exaggerated because of the stark contrast. (ex. Tyblalt and Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet)

11 III. PLOT-THE PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE STORY, THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS A. Exposition-the beginning situation, introduces setting and characters 1. Author may choose to jump right into the story. 2. The beginning situation may set the mood with description. 3. The story may begin with an emotional statement. 4. The story may begin with dialogue.

12 III. PLOT (CONTINUED) B. Rising Action-complications, problems, conflicts in the story begin 1. Internal conflict-man vs. Himself (his conscience) 2. External conflicta. Man vs. Man b. Man vs. Nature c. Man vs. Society d. Man vs. Fate

13 III. PLOT (CONTINUED) C. Turning Point-the fate of the main character is sealed; events of the plot begin to move toward an ending; the point when the story changes direction D. Climax-the highest emotional tension in the story; the outcome of the story is clear at this point

14 III. PLOT (CONTINUED) E. Falling action-bringing the story to a close F. Denouement (resolution)-conclusion of the story, working out of the final details

15 IV. THEME Theme-the main idea of the story; the idea the author wants to put across to the reader A. Theme may be a revelation of a character (a realization about something that causes an epiphany) B. The theme must be 1. Specific 2. Universal, applies to anyone (Romeo and Juliet-theme of love and devotion) 3. Important to the story 4. Provide unity to the story 5. Present the reader with a new awareness of life

16 V. POINT OF VIEW A. First Person-story is told by a character in the story-uses I, narrator knows only his own thoughts and feelings and what he sees B. First Person Detached-story is told by a narrator who is reflecting on something that happened in the past; narrator has had time to reflect back on the event

17 V. POINT OF VIEW (CONTINUED) C. Third Person Objective-told as a reporter, eye of the camera point of view, narrator only reports on what he sees, no thoughts or feelings of characters revealed D. Third Person Omniscient- God-like narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters and sees all that happens E. Third Person Limited Omniscient- God-like narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of only one character, usually the main character.

18 VI. ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT TERMS A. Analogy- a point-by-point comparison between two things that are alike in some respect. B. Connotation- is an attitude of a feeling associated with a word (not the dictionary meaning). C. Denotation- the literal or dictionary meaning of a word.

19 VI. ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT TERMS (CONTINUED) D. Dialogue- written conversation between two or more characters. E. Inference- reader must draw conclusions based on clues given by the author F. Foreshadowing-the author hints at events to come later in the story G. Flashback-the author takes time to tell events that occurred in the past

20 VI. ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT TERMS (CONTINUED) H. Irony-a contrast, contradiction a. Verbal irony-what is said is opposite to what one would expect or what is said is the opposite to what is intended (sarcasm) b. Situational irony-what happens is the opposite to what one would expect, or when one doesn t get what he deserves, or when one acts differently from what is expected c. Dramatic irony-the reader knows things the characters do not

21 VI. ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT TERMS (CONTINUED) I. Suspense- the excitement or tension that readers feel as they wait to find out how a story ends or a conflict is resolved.