Parts of a StoryFinding Meaning

Parts of a StoryAnalogy: House

• FOUNDATION=Setting - provides a foundation for the story by describing the time and place of the action

• DOOR=Characters - come in and meet the people who live here—they are the people, animals, or creatures carrying out the action

• WINDOW=Point of View - the vantage point from which the story is told—is the story being told from the inside or out?

• ROOF LINE=Plot - the pattern of events in the story• CHIMNEY=Theme - the main message that filters

throughout the story

Theme

SETTING

CHARACTERS

POINT OF VIEW

PLOT

THEME

Setting and Plot• SETTING—Not just a simple time and place

– Can be SYMBOLICALLY significant.– Can be HISTORICALLY significant.

• PLOT– Climax—Not always in the middle of action; it is the major turning

point.– Resolution—Sometimes the story is left unresolved

CLIMAX

Rising

Acti

on Falling

Action/Resolution

PLOT

• EXPOSITION—background info (setting)

• RISING ACTION

• CLIMAX— “apex”; turning point; things change– Rocky movies: last big fight; punch that

changes the fight

• FALLING ACTION/RESOLUTION—how the story comes to an end

Characterization

• Terms to Know:– Protagonist—main character

• Hero vs. Antihero type• Tragic Hero• “Pro” doesn’t mean “good” (vs. bad)

– Antagonist—pitted against main character– Flat/Static vs. Dynamic/Round

• Flat/Static—unchanging• Dynamic/Round--evolving

– Foil—mirrors main character

Point of ViewThird Person Point of View (HE, SHE, THEY)• Narrator does not participate in the action of the

story as one of the characters, but lets us know exactly how the characters feel. We learn about the characters through this outside voice.– A narrator who knows everything about all the

characters is all knowing, or omniscient.– A narrator whose knowledge is limited to one

character, either major or minor, has a limited omniscient point of view.

First Person Point of View (I)• Narrator does participate in the action of the

story. When reading stories in the first person, we need to realize that what the narrator is recounting might not be the objective truth.

Point of ViewAs you read a piece of fiction think about these things:

How does the point of view affect your responses to thecharacters? How is your response influenced by how muchthe narrator knows and how objective he or she is? Firstperson narrators are not always trustworthy. It is up to you todetermine what is the truth and what is not.

• How would this novel have changed with a first person narrator? Can you trust Edna to tell her own story? Do you believe third person give Edna more credibility?

THEME• The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary

work. Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves a statement or opinion about the topic.

• Major vs. Minor Themes—A major theme is an idea the author returns to time and again. It becomes one of the most important ideas in the story. Minor themes are ideas that may appear from time to time.

• Difference between THEME and SUBJECT– The subject is the topic on which an author has chosen to write.– The theme, however, makes some statement about or

expresses – Example:

• SUBJECT = WAR• THEME = WAR IS USELESS.

http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/yorba/literary_elements.htm#THEME

THEME cont.Four ways in which an author can express themes are as

follows:1. Themes are expressed and emphasized by the way the author

makes us feel. By sharing feelings of the main character you also share the ideas that go through his mind.

2. Themes are presented in thoughts and conversations. Authors put words in their character’s mouths only for good reasons. One of these is to develop a story’s themes. The things a person says are much on their mind. Look for thoughts that are repeated throughout the story.

3. Themes are suggested through the characters. The main character usually illustrates the most important theme of the story. A good way to get at this theme is to ask yourself the question, what does the main character learn in the course of the story?

4. The actions or events in the story are used to suggest theme. People naturally express ideas and feelings through their actions. One thing authors think about is what an action will "say". In other words, how will the action express an idea or theme?

SYMBOLISM: Literal and Figurative Meaning

Symbols

Activities for Discussion

• PLOT

• CHARACTERIZATION

• SYMBOLISM

• THEME

PLOT

• Analyze the changes in Edna after the Pontelliers return to New Orleans. Note the different stages of Edna’s “awakening.”

• List THREE different changes; Pull THREE quotes to support.

Characterization

• How do the THREE men in Edna’s life represent the different stages of her awakening?

• ASSIGNMENT: How is Adele a foil to Edna?– Compare/Contrast– Complete a T-Chart noting at least THREE

differences; Pull THREE Quotes for support.

SYMBOLISM

• Symbolism• Literal and Figurative Meaning• One theme of the novel is “duality of life.” Chopin writes:

“At a very early period [Edna] had apprehended instinctively the dual life—that outward existence which conforms, the inward life which questions.”– Edna’s outward symbol might be a bird; her inward symbol might

be _______?– What is your outward/inward symbols? Choose two symbols;

print/draw the pictures. Then offer a 3-5 sentence explanation tell the class “why” you chose them.

THEME

• Pull THREE quotes from the novel that help support ONE of the major themes in the novel.

• Then state that theme in a universal statement.