Literary Elements Literary Elements: components that make up a work of literature They include: (characters, characterization, conflict, setting, theme, symbolism, point of view, mood, tone, and plot) s s are people or animals who take part in the action of a story. Three types of characters whom we may meet in any story. major characters minor characters extra characters Major s 1. Major characters These include the protagonist, the antagonist, and other characters who have a large role in the story. a. Protagonist: Major s The main/central/leading character The most important character in a story, poem, or play. The action of the story revolves around the protagonist. Is the protagonist always a good person or the hero? 1
b. Antagonist: Major s the character or force that opposes the protagonist. Is this person always the villain or a mean character? Other Major s They can also have their own subplot within a story. They play a significant role in the action of the story. Minor s 2. Minor characters: are characters that take place in the action but are not the focus of attention; they have a small role. Extra s 3. Extra s: novels and movies need extra characters to create a realistic scene. Extra characters become part of the setting; therefore, we don t mention them when discussing characters in a novel. FIX YOUR CHART IN LIT. ELEMENTS PACKET BOTTOM OF PAGE 1 The Monkey s Paw Protagonist Antagonist Other major characters Minor characters Extra characters s in Rikki Tikki Tavi s Protagonist Antagonist Other Major s Minor s Extra s 2
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Static and Dynamic s! s Protagonist Antagonist Other Major s Minor s Extra s Rikki-Tikki-Tavi RTT Nag / Nagaina None Teddy, The Big Man, Darzee, Darzee s wife, Karait, Chuchundra None Static s: characters that do not undergo any internal change from the story s inception to its conclusion. Static and Dynamic s! Dynamic s: characters that undergo an internal change over the course of a story as a result of their experience. Most protagonists are dynamic. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Is Rikki-Tikki-Tavi static or dynamic? Dynamic In the beginning of the story Rikki is a young mongoose who does not have much confidence in himself and his ability to kill snakes. As the story progresses, Rikki gains more confidence and becomes wiser; as a result, he is successful in killing the snakes. CONFLICT Conflict- struggle between conflicting forces; the single most important element of a short story; without some sort of meaningful conflict, a story has little plot to interest the reader CENTRAL CONFLICT Central Conflict: this drives the main plot of the story; it is the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist. It shows up in the inciting incident of plot mountain. Important note: Stories can also have side conflicts! 3
Conflict Categories Conflict Categories 1. Internal conflict: one in which a character struggles against a force within. There is one type: 1. vs. Self: A conflict in which the main character is at odds with an internal problem such as fear, shyness or guilt. 2. External Conflict: one in which a character struggles against some outside force External Conflict There are five different types of external conflict External Conflict 1. vs. A conflict in which a character has a problem with another character. External Conflict 2. vs. Nature A conflict in which a character must struggle against a harsh environment or natural disaster. External Conflict 3. vs. Society A conflict in which a character faces a problem with a part or the whole of society (e.g., government, tradition, laws). 4
External Conflict 4. vs. Fate A conflict in which a character struggles with a force that seems beyond the character s control External Conflict 5. vs. Supernatural- A conflict in which a character struggles with a force that is not of the human world. ization ization: The ways in which an author reveals the traits of characters to his audience. Two Types of ization Direct ization Indirect ization ization Direct ization Author directly tells the reader the traits of the character Example: The malevolent queen was a venomous, wicked witch. Indirect ization The reader has to infer the traits of the character. Example: The queen slaughtered everyone who defied her. Indirect ization Speech Thoughts of the Effects on Other s Actions of the **** Most important Looks of the **** Least important STEAL What does the character say? How does the character speak? What is revealed through the character s private thoughts and feelings? What is revealed through the character s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? What does the character do? How does the character behave? Must be significant actions What does the character look like? How does the character dress? 5
Rikki-tikki tingled all over with rage and hatred at this, and then Nag s head came through the sluice, and his five feet of cold body followed it. If you move I strike, and if you do not move I strike. Oh foolish people who killed Nag. (Nagaina) She had crept up behind him as he was talking, to make an end of him; and he heard her savage hiss as the stroke missed. (Nagaina) Rikki-tikki felt his eyes growing red and hot and sat back on his tail and hind legs like a little kangaroo Identifying ization 1. The boy is mean Direct Indirect 2. The boy would always shove the other kids when he walked down the hall. Direct Indirect 3. The girl is kind Direct Indirect 4. The girl said, That dress looks very colorful to the teacher and it made her happy. Direct Indirect 5. The women is angry Direct Indirect Identifying ization 6. You could see the veins pulsing and her cheeks getting a hot red, as her fists clenched till her knuckles were white. Direct Indirect 7. I could not help but sit in my pajamas and eat ice cream while my tears soaked the pillow. Direct Indirect 8. She was greedy Direct Indirect 9. He could not help but to be upset Direct Indirect 10. All they did was sit on the couch and watch TV all day. Direct Indirect 6
STEAL for A Monkey s Paw Come back, he said tenderly. You will be cold. STEAL for A Monkey s Paw gazed with a look of horror. STEAL for A Monkey s Paw STEAL for A Monkey s Paw "A trifle, said he... He didn t want it, but I made him take it " His hand grasped the monkey s paw, and with a shiver he wiped his hand on his coat. STEAL for A Monkey s Paw The Monkey s Paw Category Specific Type of Conflict Details on the husband s face was a look such as his friend the sergeant might have carried into [war]. Mr. White Mrs. White External vs. Supernatural -Paw Internal vs. Self -Decisions External vs. -Mrs. White Internal vs. Self -Sanity Herbert External vs. Fate -Dad s wish Sgt. Major Morris Internal vs. Self -Wishes External vs. Supernatural -Paw 7
CENTRAL CONFLICT Protagonist Antagonst Central conflict cagetory Mr. White Paw External Type of conflict vs. Supernatural Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Category Specific Type of Conflict Rikki-Tikki- Tavi Nag External External vs. vs. Details -Nag/Nagaina -Karait -RTT Teddy External vs. -Karait -Nagaina Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Category Specific Type of Conflict Big man External vs. Garden animals External vs. Details -Nag -Nag/Nagaina CENTRAL CONFLICT Protagonist Antagonst Central conflict cagetory RTT Nag/ Nagaina External Type of conflict vs. The cobras want to regain control and superiority in the garden and plan to do so by killing the family and then Rikki. Rikki wants to protect himself and the family by killing the snakes. What s the Difference? Term Definition Moral An intended lesson expressed in a simple story. Fables and parables are specifically designed to teach a moral, which often appears in a single statement at the end. 8
Term Theme (Central Message) What s the Difference? Definition A central message that an author conveys in a piece of literature. Sometimes the theme is obvious, while other times the reader must think carefully about a work in order to identify theme Themes are found in stories, movies, songs, poems, etc. There can be more than one theme in a passage. ******Theme is not the same as main idea or moral! What s the Difference? Term Definition Main Idea The overall idea about a passage or text. The main idea is closely related to the TOPIC of a passage and may sometimes be stated in a topic sentence, especially in shorter passages or paragraphs You can find the main idea by thinking about the supporting details. -Supporting details tell more about the main idea. -Supporting details often answer the questions: Who? How? What? Where? When? Literary Analysis Question The Monkey s Paw He (Sgt. Morris) took the paw, and dangling it between his forefinger and thumb, suddenly threw it upon the fire. White, with a slight cry, stooped down and snatched it off. Better let it burn, said the soldier solemnly. If you don't want it Morris, said the other, give it to me. I won't. said his friend doggedly. "I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don't blame me for what happens. Pitch it on the fire like a sensible man. Based on the previous excerpt, which of the following types of indirect characterization is/are used to depict Mr. White as unwise? A. Speech B. Looks C. Actions D. Both a and c E. None of the above Literary Analysis Question RTT It must be the head, he said at last; the head above the hood. And, when I am once there, I must not let go. Then he jumped. The head was lying a little clear of the water jar, under the curve of it; and, as his teeth met, Rikki braced his back against the bulge of the red earthenware to hold down the head. Based on the previous excerpt, which of the following types of indirect characterization is/are used to depict Rikki-tikki as brave? a. Speech b. Looks c. Actions d. Both a and c e. None of the above Moral A shepherd boy watching a flock of sheep caused a group of villagers to come running to his aid twice by crying, Wolf! Wolf! Each time the villagers arrived, the boy laughed and boasted that he had fooled them. The next day, a wolf really did come, but when the boy cried out, the villagers paid no attention. They thought the boy was trying to trick them again. The wolf was able to eat the boy s sheep. A. It s easy to criticize what you cannot have. B. Don t count your chickens before they hatch. C. Liars are not believed, even when they tell the truth. Theme A theme (Central Message) is the message conveyed by the piece; theme must be converted into a thematic statement. What were the central ideas of the story? Courage Loyalty Survival The story emphasized the courage of Rikki and contrasted that with the cowardice of Chuchundra. RTT displays loyalty towards the family as well as to his duty as a mongoose. Survival is the motivating factor behind the actions of all characters involved. Even the cobras killed only for food and to protect their way of life. 9
Main ideas of A Monkey s Paw Man with magical paw had bad experience, wants to get rid of paw, Mr. White wants paw and wishes, wife doesn t; Mr. white wishes, but fears bad repercussions; bad things happen as a result of wishes. Donuts are amazing. The Wizard of OZ ( 1939) Main Idea In this classic film, a tornado transports Dorothy Gale into the fantastical land of Oz, where she must contend with witches, odd creatures, and supernatural happenings in order to make it back home to Kansas. The Wizard of Oz Theme The real message of the film is the value of determination and teamwork; one can succeed in life and survive great hardship through resourcefulness and determination. **** This is not the only theme found in this film. Theme is not the main idea. the summary of a story s plot. One word. the same as a moral. How is Theme Developed? Some examples include: Conflict in the story s plot Symbols embedded within the story s actions Theme (THE MEssage) Main Idea (small summary) Moral (Lesson) The Monkey s Paw -Don t tempt fate -There is a magical paw that grants wishes, in an unorthodox manner. -Don t tempt fate -Be careful what you wish for 10
Theme (THE MEssage) Main Idea (small summary) Moral (Lesson) Rikki-Tikki-Tavi -Loyalty and courage will prevail. -Stand up for others -Family finds a mongoose (RTT) washed up from flood; they take him back to live with them. He learns two cobras are plotting to kill the family and take over the garden. RTT sets out to stop this from happening. N/A Symbol: anything that stands for or represents something else. May be a person, place, thing, or action May stand for an idea, belief, feeling, or attitude, people or places ADD IN A symbol keeps its own meaning while also standing for something else. Symbols are situational. Symbols keep their abstract meaning throughout a piece of work. Symbol Blue Yellow White Red Purple Black Possible Meanings!! Remember, it s situational! Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, truth, depression Joy, happiness, optimism, hope, sunshine, summer, cowardice, illness, hazard and friendship purity, cleanliness, peace, innocence, youth, winter, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate Royalty and nobility power, sophistication, elegance, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, sadness, mourning, death (Western cultures). A quick flashback to when we talked about symbolism and colors Thinking about GREEN Green, the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy, is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment. Green is also traditionally associated with money, finances, banking, ambition, greed, jealousy, and wall street. LUCK MYSTERIOUS VENOMOUS WICKED EVIL Symbolism in Literature Metaphor Love is a jewel. He is a rock. A direct comparison of two unlike objects; states that one object is another. *** even though objects are unlike, they must have a slight similarity to establish meaning. This is symbolic because it suggests that love is rare and precious. This is symbolic because it suggests that he is strong and dependable. Credit wording to **http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples/examples -of-symbolism.html 11
Symbolism Symbolism in literature is used to enhance writing and they can help develop theme. It can take many forms including: characters words actions events that have deeper meaning in a story metaphors allegories Credit wording to **http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples/examples -of-symbolism.html Allegory As Symbolism Allegory: an extended use of symbolism and metaphors. A story, a poem, or even a whole book can be an allegory and the symbolism will permeate throughout. Credit wording to **http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples/examples -of-symbolism.html Birth Youth What do these pictures represent collectively? Middle Age Old Age/ Death Life Journey Birth and Life Every Rose Has its Thorn - Poison Every rose has its thorn Just like every night has its dawn Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song Every rose has its thorn What is the theme of this stanza? How does the symbolism help develop theme? Symbol Monkey s Paw Game of Chess Meaning Desire and greed -Life -Mr White loses game symbolizes how he ends up losing a lot (his son) - game s outcome mirrors the story s outcome http://www.sparknotes.com/short-stories/the-monkeys-paw/themes.html 12
Analyze It! The Monkey s Paw Symbolism Nag and Nagaina Evil, death, fear Karait Death, pain Rikki Tikki Tavi Fearlessness, hope, bravery, determination, loyalty How do you think symbolism helps develop or support the theme? English Periods 4, 6 & 7: Analyze It! SKIP THESE! Think about what you know about Rudyard Kipling and the time period in which he grew up? How might the conflict in the story be symbolic? How might the English people moving into the bungalow be symbolic? MOOD and TONE What is Mood? Mood: the feeling the author creates for the reader. mood can change throughout a story based on the events in plot. Mood can also be created in music and movies. What is Mood? How is mood created? Mood is created by the author through tone. 13
What is Tone? Tone: the author s attitude toward setting, characters, or action/plot in a story. It can also be used in music and film. Tone describes the apparent attitude of the speaker or narrator toward the subject. It refers only to the narrative voice; not to the author or characters Take out your that you got yesterday! It should be in your units section Video Clips Mood and Tone Activity Handout Video Clip #1 Video Clip #2 Think about the MOOD and the TONE of each clip! Use your Mood and Tone handout to help you. After you watch each clip, you ll fill in your chart. Mood (How you feel) The Monkey s Paw Mood (How you feel) Rikki Tikki Tavi Tone (The author s attitude) Tone (The author s attitude) 14
Mood Tone Rikki Tikki Tavi -Mostly suspenseful as the conflict develops -End delivers relief and joy as the garden and the family celebrate the end of Nag and Nagaina -at times serious and frightening -also reflects Rikki s playful side Point of View and Perspective Period 2 Cross off the chart at the bottom of page 9! Turn the page; the chart you ll fill in is at the top of page 10! Periods 4, 6 and 7 Fill in the chart at the top of the page. Cross off the SECOND chart on the page. Terms Author Narrator Point of View Point of View (POV) Definitions A person who writes a story The character or outsider telling a story The view point of the story s narrator. Stories can be told from several points of view. Point of View Definition First Person The narrator is a character in the story who can reveal only personal thoughts and feelings and what he or she sees and is told by other characters. She/he can t tell us thoughts of other characters. Third Person The narrator is not a character in the story. He/she tells the story from the outside. Third person pronouns used by the narrator are he, she, their, they, them, it, theirs, its, his, and hers. Third Person Limited The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of one of the characters. Third Person Omniscient The narrator is an all-knowing outsider who can enter the minds of more than one character. Third Person Objective Giving just the facts. The reader is never allowed into any of the characters minds, nor given any of their feelings or emotions. The reader has to judge what the character is thinking or feeling by what they say, what they do, and their facial expressions - much like real life, in fact. 15
POINT OF VIEW PRACTICE As the girl walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. The cardinal tipped his head back and drew breath to sing, but just as the first note passed his beak he heard the crack of a dead branch far below his perch high in the maple tree. Startled, he looked down, cocking his head to one side and watching with great interest while the man rattled the blades of grass as he tried to hide himself behind the tree. As the man saw her start up the hill, he moved quickly into the shelter of the huge old maple tree. If she saw him now, everything would be ruined. She thought she saw a shadow move high up on the slope, but when she looked again it was gone. The man thought if he could stay hidden until she came within range, she'd have to talk to him. Wouldn't she? The girl shuddered as she felt a silent threat pass over her. It felt like a cloud creeping over the sun. THIRD PERSON First off: Is this 1 st or 3 rd person? OMNISCIENT As I walked up the hill, I realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal who was nearly always singing from the top of the maple tree. I thought I saw a shadow move high up on the slope, but when I looked again it was gone. Still, I shuddered as I felt a silent threat pass over me like a cloud over the sun. As she walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal who she so often heard singing from the top of the maple tree. She thought she saw a shadow move high up on the slope, but when she looked again it was gone. Nevertheless, she shuddered as she felt a silent threat pass over her. It felt like a cloud creeping over the sun. First off: Is this 1 st or 3 rd person? FIRST PERSON First off: Is this 1 st or 3 rd person? THIRD PERSON LIMITED The Monkey s Paw Questions on page 11 Is the narrator inside or outside the text? Outside If the narrator is outside the text can he/she get into the mind of one characters or more than one character? Yes So, what is the POV of this story? First-Person? X Was the story told by one of the characters, only revealing his/her sights and thoughts? Third-Person Limited? X Is the narrator an outsider who can see into the mind of only one character? Third Person Omniscient? Is the narrator an outsider who seems all knowing, capable of looking into the minds of all characters? RTT Questions on page 11 Is the narrator inside or outside the text? Outside If the narrator is outside the text can he/she get into the mind of one characters or more than one character? Yes So, what is the POV of this story? First-Person? X Was the story told by one of the characters, only revealing his/her sights and thoughts? Third-Person Limited? X Is the narrator an outsider who can see into the mind of only one character? Third Person Omniscient? Is the narrator an outsider who seems all knowing, capable of looking into the minds of all characters? 16
The following passages illustrate the point of view: Mrs. White: She broke off suddenly as the sinister meaning of the assurance dawned upon her and she saw the awful confirmation of her fears in the others averted face. Mr. White: The talisman was in its place, and a horrible fear that the unspoken wish might bring his mutilated son before him ere he could escape from the room seized upon him The narrator can see into the heads of both characters, reporting their thoughts and feelings. The following passage illustrates the point of view: He was afraid for the minute; but it is impossible for a mongoose to stay frightened for any length of time, and though Rikki-tikki had never met a live cobra before, his mother had fed him on dead ones, and he knew that all a grown mongoose's business in life was to fight and eat snakes. Nag knew that too, and at the bottom of his cold heart he was afraid. The narrator can see into the heads of both characters, reporting their thoughts and feelings. Let s look at the questions on page 11 of your packet How does POV affect a story? The Monkey s Paw How does POV affect a story? What if the POV of the story was written in first person POV? Would that change the story? If so, how? Who does the POV affect? The characters or the reader? Explain How does POV affect a story? What if the POV of the story Rikki-tikki was written in first person POV? Would that change the story? If so, how? Who does the POV affect? The characters or the reader? Explain Perspective: Viewpoint of the character who is telling the story. How characters in a story view the occurrences in a story. Perspective Point of View WHO is telling the HOW it s told story 17
Foreshadowing Foreshadowing: The technique authors use to hint at something that will happen or something we will learn later on in the book. Foreshadowing Two main reasons for foreshadowing Build suspense Prepare readers for what will happen - either good or bad. Foreshadowing It is used to: make the story more believable In mysteries, authors use foreshadowing to mislead readers (known as a red herring) Flashback: the technique authors use to tell readers about an event that happened before the current action of the story. It must be: Relevant to the plot Triggered by something 18
Plot: the sequence of events a story follows. The first part of a story. It introduces the setting, characters, and the basic situation. EXPOSITION Major characters are often introduced in the exposition; sometimes a major character will be introduced in the rising actions. Minor characters maybe introduced during this period, but they can also be introduced during the rising action. Extra characters blend into the background and are not highlighted. Setting: the time and place in which the main story events occur. Creates Mood or atmosphere of the story Provide important background information Can be used to symbolize important themes of a story In some stories it is an integral part; in others, it s not as important. Setting can help create conflict, but there is no such thing as character versus setting! Setting includes: Scenery, weather, clothing, furniture, and other elements associated with the time period Is created through imagery Use of language that appeals to the senses and produces mental images; the use of figurative language or vivid descriptions to produce mental images. A basic overview of what is taking place. Remember, this is before the central conflict is introduced. 19
This is the point in the story when the central conflict of the story takes place. This is where you ll discover the main struggle (central conflict) in the story. INCITING INCIDENT conflict EXPOSITION How many types? One! What is it? vs. Self A conflict in which the main character is at odds with an internal problem, such as fear, shyness, or guilt. How many types? FIVE! What are they? vs. A conflict in which the main character has a problem with another character. vs. Nature A conflict in which the main character must struggle against a harsh environment or natural disaster. vs. Society A conflict in which the main character faces a problem with a part or the whole of society vs. Fate A conflict in which the main character struggles with a force that seems beyond the character s control vs. Supernatural- A conflict in which the main character struggles with a force that is not of the human world. The part of the story where the conflict increases or becomes more complicated to resolve. The climax is the point of the story that is the most interesting or suspenseful. The main conflict is being directly addressed. CLIMAX RISING ACTION INCITING INCIDENT conflict EXPOSITION RISING ACTION INCITING INCIDENT conflict EXPOSITION 20
The gradual subsiding of action after the climax; needed so all the action just doesn t stop. It may or may not be present. The part of the story when the conflict is solved. CLIMAX CLIMAX RISING ACTION FALLING ACTION RISING ACTION FALLING ACTION INCITING INCIDENT conflict EXPOSITION INCITING INCIDENT conflict EXPOSITION RESOLUTION This is any action or events that take place after the central conflict has been resolved. Sometimes the denouement is not present. CLIMAX RISING ACTION INCITING INCIDENT conflict EXPOSITION FALLING ACTION RESOLUTION DENOUEMENT 21