Plot: The Arrangement of Incidents

LM 1220 Introduction to Narrative The arrangement of incidents (PLOT) Prof. Hilda Gairaud

PLOTStructuring a dynamic whole

• The arrangement of incidents in fiction
• The imitation of actions (mimicking)
• The sequence of interrelated events
• A mechanical means of a structure used to display character
• Stories´ movement and development of happenings

Dynamism in PlotMovement can be:

• Chronological
• Logical
• Physical
• Psychological
• Cyclical
• Fragmented
• Implicit or explicit
• Long or short
• Emphasized or omitted

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Dynamism in Plot

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Dynamism in Plot

Fragmented plots: flashbacks, flashforward

Psychological movement in plot

TEMA 02 LOREM IPSUM DOLOR SIT

Check on the stages of plot in Saki's "The Open Window"

Nombre del autor/a

Physical Arrangements

Cyclical Arrangements

Chronological arrangements

Dynamism in plot

Different types of arranging and presenting information for plot

PaycologicalArrangements

Cause - Effects Patterns

Types of Movement

Plot: "The Monkey´s Paw"

Plot: "The Monkey´s Paw"

PLOT in "The Monkey´s Paw"

Rising Action

Climax

Exposition

Falling Action and Resolution

The turning point of the story

iquip

Introduction

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FRAGMENTED PLOTSAnti-Story

Matthew´s "Questionnaire for Rudolph Gordon"

• Defy conventional story devices
• Brake traditional rules
• Experiment with form and content
• Examine universal themes
• Involve reader´s creativity and use of the imagination

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Short Story, Plot and Conflict in Matthew´s"Questionnaire for Rudolph Gordon"

• Read thoroughly each question.
• The questions make up the story
• Look for verb tenses
• Think about each question and how it contributes to make he story
• There are key questions that start arranging plot:

"A Questionnaire or Rudolph Gordon"

"The cabin, the steep hill, the sand, the man, the woman, and the child"

9) What was your mother saying as your father painted the picture? 10) Why had you been crying? 11) Were you aware of his sitting back there, farther in the bank, painting as your mother talked to you? 12) The woman had been singing a song to calm you down; what was this song? 14) ? 15) ? 70) ? 91) ?

5) Do you still dream of that little boat, nosing at the dock as if it were alive and waiting for you? 6) Did you sell the painting in which your father had put the boat) 7) This painting also showed a woman leaning over and scooping up sand; who was the little boy she was facing? 8) Do you remember that heavy cloth bathing suit, with its straps and the heavy, scratchy wool against your skin?

Past Experiences and Parenthood

Conflict in Literature

DEFINITION OF CONFLICT

• The tension and struggle between two opposing forces
• The nature of this opposition or struggle vaies
• There are internal and external conflicts
• There might be several conflicts in a story but there is always a dominant one

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Conflict

• Conflict and plot must be plausible
• Conflict may exist prior to the formal initiation of the plot (the reader must infer it).
• It may be placed at the beginning or in the middle of the story

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Conflict in "A Questionnaire for Rudolph Gordon

Conflict in "A Questionnaire for Rudolph Gordon

Who is Rudolph Gordon?

Types of Conflicts

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Types of conflicts

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External Conflicts

Man/woman versus NatureMan/woman versus man/woman Man/woman versus society (societal structures) Man/woman versus the supernatural

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Types of Conflicts

INTERNALPsychological states of mind, moods and personal choices and struggles A sharacter contesting within him/herself A character contesting with him/herself

External and Internal Conflicts

EXTERNAL CONFLICTS In "Questionnaire for Rudolph Gordon":man/woman versus man/woman man/woman versus society man/woman versus fate INTERNAL CONFLICTS the mother against herself the father against herself Rudolph Gordon against himself

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More conflicts?