Literary Terms Week 2

Story Arcs

This week, we will be learning about story arcs. This focus also includes the literary terms and defintions you need to know for the week. Here's a basic rundown: 

Remember, all stories need a beginning, a middle, and an end. Sometimes, these are out of order, like in the film Memento. Sometimes, or stories include flashbacks, when events that occurred before the story's opening are presented (86). Other times, we have foreshadowing, when "an author merely gives subtle clues or hints about what will happen later in the story." 

I'd like you to focus a bit on the story arc again. You'll need to be very familiar with these terms.

Exposition: This is often the early part of the story where we are introduced to the setting, the characters, and the protagonist's ordinary, everyday life. This is Harry sitting in his room, in the cupboard under the stairs. This is Bilbo Baggins eating 2nd breakfast in the Shire before Gandalf and the Dwarves show up. This is Peter Parker before the radioactive spider bite. 

Conflict: Something changes in our character's lives. A letter from Hogwart's arrives. A wizard arrives. A spider bites Peter. A young boy living on Tatooine meets two strange robots. Liam Neeson gets a phone call.

Somehow, this conflict will set our character on a course (or a journey) that will alter their lives. This could be a good thing or a bad thing, but it is definitely something outside of the ordinary daily life.

Rising Action: All of the steps or adventures that our protagonist faces on their journey to the climax. Harry deals with Malfoy, Professor Snape, a girlfriend, the OWLS, and several small battles with Dementors. Luke Skywalker must leave home, train with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, narrowly escaping a trash compactor and a giant womanizing slug. Bilbo must leave the Shire, escape the trolls, Gollum, and the Mountain. Each battle leads to another, teaching the protagonist something they need to know before they reach the ultimate trial.

Climax: This is the moment you've been waiting for. The conflict must be faced, and our protagonist will triumph (hopefully). Harry battles Voldemort. Skywalker battles Vader. Spiderman battles the Green Goblin. Liam Neeson kicks some serious butt, unless it's wolves. 

Falling Action: This is when all the other loose ends in a story are tied up. Hermione and Ron decide to stop fighting and start dating. All those little details are sorted out. Ahhh...that's why Harry's wand is so powerful! That's why Luke and Leia can't date. That's why Professor Snape hovered around Harry all that time. (Try not to weep at that one.) 

Resolution: Life for the protagonist finds a new normal and continues on an altered path. Harry may be back at the Durselys', but he knows he's a wizard now, and he knows he'll be back at Hogwarts, where he belongs, in the fall. He is no longer alone. Frodo is changed. He can never return to the Shire but must join Bilbo and the Elves. Peter Parker is Spiderman. He has a responsibility to protect and serve. Liam Neeson will carry on as wolf manure.