Short Story Theory Flashcards
What is a prose?
All words, spoken or written, which are not patterned into the recurring metric or rhythmic units called verse. Will appear in sentence/paragraph form.
What is non-fiction type prose literature?
- real
- contains facts drawn from research, current events, history, or literature
- main purpose: inform/explain
- ex. textbooks, journals, articles
What is fiction type prose literature?
- doesn’t relate to ‘‘pure fact’’
- creative and imaginative
- dramatic; ideas and themes conveyed
- may have symbolism
- main purpose: entertain
- ex. novels. short story
What are the four basic elements of prose fiction?
- characters
- plot
- setting
- theme
*What are seven traits unique to short stories?
- can generally be read in one sitting
- has one main incident causing one main plot or conflict (no subplots)
- usually has one or two main characters
- usually has one main setting
- usually has one main theme
- usually captures readers’ attention right away
- should have a definite ending (according to Edgar Allen Poe)
What is a short story?
work of prose fiction generally read in one sitting
What is escapist literature?
- purely for entertainment
- main purpose: give readers pleasure
- take raders away from real world/reality/daily problems
What is interpretive literature?
- for entertainment and to broaden, deepen, sharpen readers’ awareness of life
- main purpose: give readers pleasure and understanding
- take readers deeper into the real world and insight into some aspect of life
What is the theme?
Controlling idea/central insight of a piece of fiction; unifying generalization about life stated/implied by the story, universally applicable to other human beings and situations
What should you consider when determining the theme?
- title
- conflict and result
- has the protagonist learned something
- has the protagonist changed
- what insight into life is revealed
How do you word theme?
1) use a subject and predicament in a statement about the subject
2) names of specific characters, events, or places should not be used
3) terms like every, all, and always shouldn’t be used
4) should account for all the major details and must no be contradicted by any significant detail; should be based on what is found inside the story
5) avoid using cliche
6) try to inply consequences/effects
7) more than one way but must meet all teh above conditions
What is plot?
Relates to the sequence of related incidents/events outlining protagonist’s conflict in the story, verbal/physical action
What is the protagonist?
The main character, not necessarily a ‘‘good guy’’
What is the antagonist?
Force(s) against main character (not necesarily the ‘‘bad guy’’) May not even be human
What happens in the Introduction/motivation/exposition stage of the plot?
- readers’ interest is captured
- antecedent action may be given
- background info may be given
-PoV is established - setting introduced
- mood set
- atmosphere created
- main character(s) introduced
What is antecedent action?
events which occur before the story beginds that may or may not be given
What is media res?
Latin term meaning story begins ‘‘in the middle of the action’’ where the reader is imeediately immersed in the action.
What is the rising action/complication?
- complicating/initial incident that starts the main conflict, preventing the protagonist from reaching his/her goal, occures when action, ideas, or desires of two opposing forces clash and struggle between them results
What is man vs man conflict?
Main character struggles against other person/group of people
What is man vs supernatural conflict?
Main character is in conflict with some supernatural force
What is man vs environment conflict?
Main character is in conflcit with some external force (nature, society, fate, technology)
What is man vs himself conflict?
Main character may be in conflict with some element in his/her nature
What is suspense?
Reader’s feelings of anxiety and uncertainty about the outsome of events in the protagonist’s future
What is crisis?
Moment of intense conflict in which the protagonist and antagonist meet
What is the climax?
turning point in conflict (point of no return) that may or may not be the point of highest intensity
What is the falling action/denovement?
Involves the series of events that begin to help to resolve the conflict in the story. The consequences of the actions which led to the climax are gradually worked out
What is denovement?
French term to descrive the ‘‘unraveling’’ or ‘‘untying’’ of conflict following the climax
What is the conclusion?
The protagonist’s conflict is resoilved, cleaned up, mystery solved
What are the five main types of conclusions?
1) Happy- protagonist reaches goal
2) unhappy- protagonist doesn’t reach goal
3) Surprise- story ends with an unexpected event
4) indeterminate- cliffhanger, no resolution to conflict
5) deus ex machina- Latin suggesting the use of a ‘‘god out of machine.’’ solution suddenly happens
What is setting?
Involves time and place of plot
What is chronological time?
Specific; day, month, year
What is historical time?
Particular to a time period
What is a specific place?
No name is fiven, like a room or street
What is geographical place?
Can be located on a map like a city or town name
What is Atmosphere?
Description of the physical surrounding/environment; essential base to build the mood
What is character?
Fictional people who carry out the action of the story and personality traits of a fictional person in the story
What is characterization?
Process of creating a character’s personality
What is direct characterization?
By what the writer says.
What is indirect characterization?
- by what the c haracter says
- by what the character does
- by what the character thinks
- by what other characters think or say about the character
- by the character’s appearance
What are plausible characters?
A convincing and believable character
What is motive/motivation?
Reasons why characters behave how they do
What is verisimilitude?
Appearance of being real, true, or life-like (can also refer to the story itself)
What is a flat character?
Few personality traits, not much detail
What is a round character?
Many personality traits, complex as real people, roundness depends on plot
What is a stock character?
So stereotyped the reader imeediately recognizes them, typically minor and flat characters
What is a static character?
Does not change his.her viewpoint
What is a dynamic or developing character?
Change his/her viewpoint, often a character’s outlook on life is changed
What should a character sketch have?
Physical appearance, physical ability, mental ability, social ability, moral qualities
*What is situational irony?
Opposite of what is expected happens
*What is dramatic irony?
Character speaking/doing action is unaware of the irony, but the readers are aware
*What is verbal irony?
There is a difference between what is meant and said. Someone may take it in one way, but the spealer may mean it differently. Srcasm is an example.
*What is cosmic irony?
A supernatural force tricks a character and sets the character up for a fall
*What is first person major PoV?
Narrator is a main character involved in key events
*What is First person minor Pov?
Narrator is a minor character (observer)
*What is third person objective?
No thoughts revealed, ‘‘camera’’ view
*What is third person omniscient?
Know the thoughts of all major and minor characters at some point in time
*What is third person limited omniscient?
Know the thoughts of some characters at some point in time
*What is third person centered omniscienct?
Know the thoughts of all main characters at some point in time
What is a symbol?
Something represents something else, have a deeper meaning. Used to develope the theme, a character’s personality, and/or the plot
What is a flashback?
Story focuses on teh present and periodically moves back to key moments in the past often important for the character, theme, or plot
What is a motif?
Recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literatre. May also be two contrasting elements in a work
What is foreshadowing?
Clues which hint something positive or negative will happen later
What is foreboding?
Clues which hint something negative will happen later
What is a satire?
Wriiter ridicules people and society to make a pint. May criticize relition, politics, education, wealth, etc
What is a stream-of-consciousness?
Characters recount their thoughts, impressions, emotions, memories, and associations as they occure. Usually provides a big insight itno the character
What is an allegory?
Tells a story that has both literal and symbolic meanings. Central figures often represents different ideas, forces, etc, the incident(s) also typically represent a struggle between forces.
Can be a historical or political allegory
- can be a psychomachia (‘‘soul battle’’ type allegory)
What is an archetype?
Basic model from which copies are made from (prototype)
Types of archetypes?
- basic universal theme (ex. persuit of vengeance, arduous quest, etc)
- fundamental facts/pattern of human existence (ex. birth)
- common character or personality
- creatures (ex. hare)
- others; idea forms (ex. beauty)
What is science fiction?
Story reflects the impact of imagined science and/or technology upon society or individuals
What is fantasy?
Story has events occurring as a result of magic or some unexplained phenomena which is unrealted to science (real or imagined) or technology
What is dramatic/character foil?
similarities between two or more characters established to emphasize the differences
What is poetic justice?
A literary outcome where characters receive their just reward or punishment for deeds done ‘‘what comes around goes around’’
What is a hero?
Protagonist with heroic qualities (noble, daring, intelligent, courageous, etc)
What is an anti-hero?
Protagonists given ‘‘unheroic’’ qualities
