short stories - Groupfusion.net

SHORT STORIES
and
LITERARY ELEMENTS
The Interlopers Conflict, Irony, Characters The Most Dangerous Game Conflict, Foreshadowing, Protagonist/Antagonist Rules of the Game Conflict, Characterization, Imagery, Protagonist/Antagonist Gift of the Magi Characterization, Irony The Necklace Characterization, Irony The Fly Symbolism, Irony, Imagery The Ransom of Red Chief Point of View, Characterization, Humor Desiree’s Baby Conflict, Irony, Characterization, Imagery, Symbolism, POV, Setting, Protagonist/Antagonist Targets
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Fiction A
Ms. Estes 1 The Interlopers
By Saki Conflict: External-­‐ Man vs. Society, Man vs. Man, Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Supernatural, Man vs. Technology My example: Internal-­‐ Man vs. Self My example: Setting: In this story… Theme: In this story… Provide textual (quotes!) examples of the different kinds of conflict in the text. External Conflict Man vs. Nature: Man vs. Man Internal Conflict Man vs. Self Ms. Estes 2 Irony: Dramatic Irony-­‐ When the reader is aware of something that is going to occur in a story that a character is unaware of. My example: Verbal Irony-­‐ When the writer says one thing but means something entirely different. My example: Situational Irony-­‐ a situation where the outcome is incongruous with what was expected, but it is also more generally understood as a situation that includes contradictions or sharp contrasts. My example: Provide textual (quotes!) examples of the different kinds of irony in the text. Verbal: Situational: Ms. Estes 3 Character: Static character—two-­‐dimensional in that they are relatively uncomplicated and do not change throughout the course of a work My example: Dynamic character—undergoes an important inner change, as a change in personality or attitude My example: Round character-­‐ a character in fiction whose personality, background, motives, and other features are fully delineated by the author. My example: In this story… (Character)_____________________________ is a __________________________________ character because __________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. (Character) _____________________________ is a __________________________________ character because __________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. Plot: My example: In this story…. Ms. Estes 4 The Most Dangerous Game
By Richard Connell Imagery: In this story… External Conflict Man vs. Nature: Man vs. Man Internal Conflict Man vs. Self Setting in this story… Themes in this story… Conflict Ms. Estes 5 Foreshadowing: My example: In the text this 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)  foreshadows  this event Character—Static, Round, or Dynamic? Static character—two-­‐dimensional in that they are relatively uncomplicated and do not change throughout the course of a work Dynamic character—undergoes an important inner change, as a change in personality or attitude Round character-­‐ a character in fiction whose personality, background, motives, and other features are fully delineated by the author. In this story… (Character)_____________________________ is a __________________________________ character because __________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. (Character) _____________________________ is a __________________________________ character because __________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. Ms. Estes 6 Protagonist: My example: In this story, the protagonist is ________________________________________________________ because: Antagonist: My example: In this story, the antagonist is ________________________________________________________ because: Plot In this story…. Ms. Estes 7 Rules of the G ame
By Amy Tan Image Imagery à Effect Setting in this story… Themes in this story… Conflict External Conflict Man vs. Man Internal Conflict Man vs. Self Ms. Estes 8 Protagonist: My example: In this story, the protagonist is _________________________________________________ because: Antagonist: My example: In this story, the antagonist is ________________________________________________________ because: Ms. Estes 9 Characterization: My example: Indirect characterization— the process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed by the use of descriptive adjectives, phrases, or epithets. Direct characterization— the process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, appearance, etc. Provide textual (quotes!) examples of characterization. Character 1:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Character 2:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Indirect or Direct? Indirect or Direct? Ms. Estes 10 Setting in this story… Themes in this story… Gift of the Magi
By O. Henry Image Imagery à Effect Characterization Character 1:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Character 2:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Indirect or Direct? Indirect or Direct? Ms. Estes 11 Irony Verbal: Situational: Dramatic: In this story…. Plot Ms. Estes 12 Setting in this story… Themes in this story… The Necklace
By Guy de Maupassant Image Imagery à Effect Characterization Character 1:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Character 2:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Indirect or Direct? Indirect or Direct? Ms. Estes 13 Verbal: Situational: Symbolism: My example: Irony In this text… The necklace symbolizes ___________________________________________________________________________________. Supporting evidence: Clothes symbolizes __________________________________________________________________________________________. Supporting evidence: Ms. Estes 14 The Fly
By Katherine Mansfield Image Imagery à Effect Setting in this story… Themes in this story… Context: My example: What is the context of this story? This may require looking outside of the text or doing research, but it important because it allows us to understand the story as a whole. Point of View: My example: Third-­‐person: a narrator who is not a character.. Omniscience: narrative that sees into different characters. In editorial omniscience, a variant of omniscience, the third-­‐person narrator adds comments judging characters. First-­‐person narrator: a narrator who is a (major or minor) character in the story. Unreliable narrator: a narrator who misinterprets the story due to prejudice, madness, etc. In this story… The narrator is ______________________________________________________. Supporting evidence: Ms. Estes 15 Characterization Character 1:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Character 2:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Indirect or Direct? Indirect or Direct? Protagonist: In this story, the protagonist is _________________________________________________ because: Antagonist: In this story, the antagonist is ________________________________________________________ because: Ms. Estes 16 Verbal: Situational: Irony Symbolism In this text… The fly symbolizes _______________________________________________________________________________________. Supporting evidence: The boss symbolizes ____________________________________________________________________________________. Supporting evidence: Mr. Woodfield symbolizes _____________________________________________________________________________. Supporting evidence: Ms. Estes 17 Setting in this story… Themes in this story… The Ransom of Red Chief
by O. Henry Image Imagery à Effect Characterization Character 1:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Character 2:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Character 3:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Indirect or Direct? Indirect or Direct? Indirect or Direct? Ms. Estes 18 Verbal: Situational: Irony Conflict External Conflict Man vs. Man Internal Conflict Man vs. Self Ms. Estes 19 Humor: My example: In this text... Diction: My example: In this text… 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What impact does the use of diction have in this text? Imagine these elements of diction were removed, how might the story as a whole change? Ms. Estes 20 Point of View: My example: Third-­‐person: a narrator who is not a character.. Omniscience: narrative that sees into different characters. In editorial omniscience, a variant of omniscience, the third-­‐person narrator adds comments judging characters. First-­‐person narrator: a narrator who is a (major or minor) character in the story. Unreliable narrator: a narrator who misinterprets the story due to prejudice, madness, etc. In this story… The narrator is _________________________________________. Supporting evidence: Protagonist: In this story, the protagonist is _________________________________________________ because: Antagonist: In this story, the antagonist is ________________________________________________________ because: Ms. Estes 21 Desiree’s Baby
By Kate Chopin Image Imagery à Effect Setting in this story… Themes in this story… Context What is the context of this story? This may require looking outside of the text or doing research, but it important because it allows us to understand the story as a whole. Ms. Estes 22 Characterization Character 1:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Character 2:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Character 3:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Indirect or Direct? Indirect or Direct? Indirect or Direct? Ms. Estes 23 Verbal: Situational: Dramatic: Irony Conflict External Conflict Man vs. Man Internal Conflict Man vs. Self Ms. Estes 24 Point of View: In this story the narrator is _________________________________________. Supporting evidence: Diction In this text… 1. 2. What impact does the use of diction have in this text? Imagine these elements of diction were removed, how might the story as a whole change? In this story…. Plot Ms. Estes 25 by Image Imagery à Effect Setting in this story… Themes in this story… Context What is the context of this story? This may require looking outside of the text or doing research, but it important because it allows us to understand the story as a whole. Protagonist: In this story, the protagonist is ______________________________________________________ because: Antagonist: In this story, the antagonist is ________________________________________________________ because: Ms. Estes 26 Characterization Character 1:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Character 2:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Character 3:_____________________________________________ Evidence à Is this character dynamic, round, or static? Why? Indirect or Direct? Indirect or Direct? Indirect or Direct? Ms. Estes 27 Verbal: Situational: Dramatic: Irony Conflict External Conflict Man vs. Man Internal Conflict Man vs. Self Ms. Estes 28 Point of View: In this story the narrator is _________________________________________. Supporting evidence: Diction In this text… 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What impact does the use of diction have in this text? Imagine these elements of diction were removed, how might the story as a whole change? Ms. Estes 29 MORE LITERARY TERMS…
Genre—a form or category of literature, such as epic, tragedy, comedy and satire.
Fable—a short, unadorned prose fiction that teaches a moral lesson. Often animals are characters.
Parable—a short narrative that illustrates a moral, philosophical or spiritual lesson. A parable may be
allegorical. E.g.: the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).
Tale—a short narrative, usually lacking in detail, with unrealistic and sometimes fantastic characters and
events. Usually tales are less concerned than short stories with revealing theme and character. The term
tale has connotations of timeless folklore. E.g.: “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
Theme— a term used in different ways: for the main idea (but not necessarily the subject) of a work of
literature; an idea which a work explores; or an argument that a work advances. Therefore, a theme can be
identified in a complete sentence, a noun phrase, or a single word: in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, “the
corrupting influence of power,” “power,” or “Power corrupts.”
Protagonist—a main character. A more general term than hero; not all protagonists are heroic.
Antagonist—a character (or sometimes a thing) in conflict with the main character or protagonist.
Conflict—the central problem or issue to be resolved in a plot, involving the main character struggling
against another character(s) or obstacle (e.g., Janie’s pursuit of love in Their Eyes Were Watching
God). Conflict can also refer to the ideas in a literary work (e.g., “The Road Not Taken” dramatizes the
conflicting values of conformity and independence).
Exposition—the revelation (usually early) in a story or play of necessary background information.
Setting—the location of a story. It may be important in developing character, motivation and meaning. In
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee carefully establishes what Maycomb is like.
Foreshadowing—a hint that is fully understood only in retrospect after the reader discovers more
information later in the plot. The term does not simply mean an omen or an explicit prediction of
something that will happen later. Foreshadowing is always a noun; foreshadow is a verb.
Climax—the high point of tension in a plot, when the outcome is decided.
Dénouement—(DAY-new-MAW), resolution or conclusion: the scene in which a plot reaches its final
outcome: mysteries are solved, questions answered, and the main conflict settled.
Epiphany— a sudden moment of realization in a story or play, often triggered by a mundane
event. Originally a religious term for a worldly manifestation of God’s presence.
Flat character—a one-dimensional character who has only a few, easily defined traits. Most minor
characters are flat. Not to be confused with a static character.
Round character—a multi-faceted character, especially one who is capable of choosing right or
wrong. Usually a protagonist is a round character; in most short stories no more than one or two characters
are round. Not to be confused with a dynamic character.
Ms. Estes 30 Dynamic character—a character who changes, especially one who comes to a major realization. The
realization may or may not change the character’s actions, but the character must never be able to see the
world in quite the same way. Not all protagonists are dynamic. Rarely does a short story have more than
one or two dynamic characters.
Static character- a character who undergoes no such change.
Symbol— a thing that suggests more than its literal meaning. A symbol can be a thing or an
action. Recurring images can take on symbolic overtones. Symbolism is the collective function of
symbols in a work, or an author’s use of symbols.
Point of view—the perspective from which a story is narrated. The author can choose among various
possibilities. Second-person narrative is possible, but two classes are common:
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Third-person— a narrator who is not a character.
Objective—narrative that only describes and does not enter characters’ thoughts..
Omniscience—narrative that sees into different characters. In editorial omniscience, a variant of
omniscience, the third-person narrator adds comments judging characters.
First-person narrator—a narrator who is a (major or minor) character in the story.
Unreliable narrator—a narrator who misinterprets the story due to prejudice, madness, etc.
Local color or regionalism—in literature refers to fiction or poetry that focuses on specific features –
including characters, dialects, customs, history, and topography – of a particular region.
Setting—when and where a story occurs
Allegory—a narrative that serves as an extended metaphor. Allegories are written in the form of fables,
parables, poems, stories, and almost any other style or genre.
Alliteration—a pattern of sound that includes the repetition of consonant sounds.
Allusion—a reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature.
Antagonist— a character in a story or poem who deceives, frustrates, or works again the main character, or
protagonist, in some way.
Flashback—“an interruption of the chronological sequence (as of a film or literary work) of an event of
earlier occurrence”
Irony—a literary term referring to how a person, situation, statement, or circumstance is not as it would
actually seem. Many times it is the exact opposite of what it appears to be.
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Dramatic irony—when the reader is aware of something that is going to occur in a story that a
character is unaware of.
Verbal irony—when the writer says one thing but means something entirely different.
Situational irony—irony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite
from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected.
Motif (moh-TEEF)— a recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature. A motif may also be
two contrasting elements in a work, such as good and evil
Diction—the intended language used by an author in order to create a greater sense of locale
Ms. Estes 31 Tone—the attitude the author expresses of his/her topic
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