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Understanding Literary Conflict and Plot Development

Explore the various types of conflict, plot structure, character types, and literary elements such as theme, characterization, and symbolism. Learn about Freytag's Pyramid, flashback, imagery, irony, and more in literature analysis.

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Understanding Literary Conflict and Plot Development

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  1. LITERARY TERMS

  2. conflict • The plot of a story always involves some sort of conflict or struggle between opposing forces. • Two types of conflict: • External • Internal

  3. External conflict • Involves a character piloted against an outside force, such as nature, a physical obstacle, or another character (a struggle with a force outside one’s self)

  4. Types of external conflict • Characteragainst character • Character against nature • Character against machine • Character against society • Character against the supernatural

  5. INTERNAL CONFLICT • a conflict that happens within a character (a struggle with one’s self; when a person has to make a decision)

  6. PLOT • the sequence of events in a story • generally built around the conflict • usually includes four stages

  7. FREYTAG’S PYRAMID: PLOT CHART

  8. Exposition • In fiction the structure normally begins with exposition. It is the beginning of the story where the characters and setting are revealed.

  9. rising action • where the conflict in the • story is revealed

  10. climax • the most intense point and turning point in the story

  11. FALLING ACTION • Follows the climaxwhere the tension eases

  12. RESOLUTION/DENOUEMENT • The final resolution or clarification of a plot

  13. FREYTAG’S PYRAMID: PLOT CHART

  14. SETTING • the time and the location in which a story takes place

  15. theme • must be stated in at least one complete sentence • must be expressed as a generalization about life or human nature (LIFE LESSON) • should explain the whole story • should not be confused with a moral

  16. HOW IS A THEME DETERMINED? • Ask how the protagonist has changed during the story OR • Think about the story’s title or statements in the story that point to the writer’s view of the world or human nature

  17. types of characters • main character • minor character • Dynamic/round character – experiences major change in personality or attitude • Static/flat character – no change occurs • Protagonist – the main character (is not always a good person) • Antagonist – opposes the protagonist • Foil – differs drastically from other characters

  18. CHARACTERIZATION • Direct characterization • the process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed by the use of descriptive adjectives or phrases

  19. CHARACTERIZATION (CON’T) • Indirect characterization • the process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, appearance, etc.

  20. MOTIVATION • the mixture of a situation and personality that impels a character to behave the way he or she does

  21. ePIPHANY • the insight or revelation gained when one suddenly understands the essence of an object, gesture, statement, situation, moment, or mentality; • They see the commonplace for what it really is beneath the surface. • Bottom Line: An “Ah-Ha” Moment

  22. FLASHBACK • a scene that interrupts the present action of a narrative work to depict some earlier event • It is often an event that occurred before the opening scene of the work via remembrance, dream, or some other mechanism.

  23. foreshadowing • a technique in which the author suggests or predicts an outcome of a plot; • hints or clues as to what is to come later

  24. suspense • the quality of a literary work that makes the reader or audience uncertain or tense about the outcome of events; makes the reader ask “What will happen next?”

  25. symbolism • The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities in literature

  26. tone • The attitude of the author toward his/her subject • Ex: fear, suspense, humor, optimism, pessimism, melancholy, anger, neutral, etc.

  27. IMAGERY • Descriptive words or phrases that appeal to the five senses

  28. IRONY • A contrast between appearance and reality – usually one in which reality is the opposite of what it seems

  29. POINT OF VIEW • The method of narration used in a short story; who is telling the story? • First person, third person, third person omniscient (all knowing)

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