Stories of Us Story Literary Elements
Jan 20, 2016
Stories of Us
Story Literary Elements
Plot
Plot is the conflict of the story and how the author unravels the conflict.
e.g. The king died. The queen died.
vs.
The king died. The queen died of a broken heart.
Great stories have a conflict
Person vs. Person
Person vs. Society
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Self
Characters
People
Animals
Or Creatures
Characterization
Can be the most powerful element of a story
If you don’t care about the characters you might not finish the book
Well-rounded characters:– Are real people (not all good/bad)– Given description of physical appearance– Change as they confront/overcome problems
The protagonist is the “good guy”
The antagonist is the “bad guy” or force
Setting
The time and place of the story Important in historical fiction Affects what the characters see, smell, hear,
touch, etc. What are the rules of society? Setting can:
– Set the mood (Tuck Everlasting)– Be the antagonist (where one needs to survive)– Be symbolic
Themes
Usually revealed by changes in the character
Can facilitate learning (historical fiction is much easier to read than a textbook)
What is the book saying to you? (You don’t have to have the same answer as the author)
Examples of ThemeGood vs. Evil
“Evil will always triumph over good Because good is dumb.”
Betrayal
Alienation
Love Overcoming All
Rites of Passage
Growing up, loss of innocence, journey of self, gaining knowledge but at a cost
The point of view is the perspective of the story
“That rotten wolf tried to eat us!!!!”
“I was framed! I just wanted to
borrow a cup of sugar!”
Wizard of Oz vs. Wicked
Point of View Who’s telling the story? Has a big impact on our sympathies Common points of view:
– First Person (e.g. I went to the store). Can share every thought and feeling with the reader, but limited only to that viewpoint. Possible that you won’t get the full truth. (e.g. Twilight)
– Third Person Limited (e.g. She went to the store). (e.g. Harry Potter)
– Omniscient—Knows what everyone in the story is thinking an feeling. Can enter the mind of more than one character