11 English Final Flashcards
Plot
The plot is a series of interrelated actions that progress due to the interplay of opposing forces upon one another.
Conflict
It is the clash that results from the confrontation of two opposing forces.
Types of Conflict
- Man versus Man (one character against another character),
- Man versus Nature (one character against cold or hurricane or forest fire, etc.),
- Man versus Society (one character against social or class structure), and
- Man versus Self (one character struggles with opposing ideas, emotions, or values within himself. This could also include Man versus God).
Stages of Conflict
i) Complication – the evolving of conflict of opposing forces within the original situation. (things get worse) This includes the initial incident that gets the conflict going and the other incidents that create the rising action.
ii) Climax – the moment of maximum concentration of the opposite forces
iii) Denouement – (untying) – the resolution of conflict and thus the end of the action in the plot
Artistic functions of a character
To add humor, to put focus on the plot, to add a love interest, to act as a foil for another character.
Necessary for a change to be believable
i) Plausible – the reader sees the possibility of it
ii) Motivated – there is reason for the character to change
iii) Timely – enough time must have passed for the change to occur
Types of Characters
Flat – only one or two sentences are need to describe this character, one sided and uncomplicated
Stock – instantly recognizable character who fits a “type”: the bad guy, the damsel in distress, the good guy in white, the evil villain
Round – a many sided character, more like a real person
Static – a character who doesn’t change throughout the novel
Dynamic – a character who undergoes some sort of permanent change in his ideas or behavior
There is a difference between stock and type because a stock character is more a stereotype; whereas, a type character is more of a symbol.
How Character is Revealed
- Through the character’s words
- Through the character’s actions
- Through the character’s thoughts
- By what other characters say or think about him/her
- Through physical description
- By direct narration
The most effective methods of character development are at the top of the list (#1-4). The last two are not as effective and tend to be more contrived, but they’re easier for an author to do.
Theme
This is an observation of life that serves as the controlling idea in a literary work.
Mood
Mood is the atmosphere or feeling of the world in the story, as the author creates it by setting and tone.
Narrative Manner
This involves the writer’s style, and all the things that help develop tone, as well as how the author decides to tell the story: Point of View, Style, and Time, and Distance.
Style – the language, mood, action, scene, and symbols
Time – flashbacks, past tense, present or future tense form chosen for
Distance – reader’s sense of closeness to the story – the distance at which the writer holds the reader
Points of view
- 1st person – tells the story from the point of view of one character (uses “I”)
- Omniscient – the narrator knows all the thoughts and feelings of all the characters
- Limited omniscient – the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one or two characters
- Objective – the narrator stands back from the characters and just describes what is seen
Style Analysis
- What types of sentences does the author use?
- What can you say about the author’s diction?
- Does the author use any figurative language?
- Does the author create any sensory impressions?
Peace Shall Destroy Many: Author and publishing date
Rudy Wiebe
1962
The Novel Introduction
Early 18th Century
