Transcript The Literary Elements

The Literary Elements
Why Interpret?
• Never forget that an
author begins with
a blank page
• Everything put into
the text makes a
contribution to the
author’s
vision/perspective
Plot
• Sequence of RELATED
events that happen in the
story
• Clearly build toward
something ahead
• CONFLICT (a struggle of
some kind) is the most
important element in the
plot
• Series of complications
contribute to rising action
Setting
• Includes WHERE a
story takes place and
WHEN a story takes
place
• Can affect mood/tone
Conflict
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Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Self
Man vs. Society
Characterization
• How a writer reveals a
character’s personality
• Shown through:
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Actions
Words & thoughts
Physical description
Other characters’
thoughts/comments
» Author’s/narrator’s
thoughts/comments
Characterization
• Examine the character’s
“journey”
• Evolve/Devolve?
• Grow or become
diminished?
• Better off or worse off
beginning to end?
• Much movement but same
place?
• What contributed to
shaping character?
Symbolism
• When the author uses
objects, events, or
characters to represent
THE BIG PICTURE
• Something in the story
stands for something else
• In the Bible, seeds eaten
by birds stand for those
who hear and don’t
believe
Irony
• When something
happens that is the
opposite of what is
expected
• For example, a woman
is assaulted by a man,
waits 35 years to get
revenge, then falls in
love with him the next
time they meet
Point of View
• The angle from which
the story is told
• Could be 1st person (I,
we), 3rd person (he,
she, they), and rarely
2nd person (you)
• Can be limited or
omniscient (allknowing)
Style
• How it is said
influences what it
means
• Does it change the
pace?
• Does it suggest
something about
characters?
• How’s it make the
reader feel?
Theme
• The Author’s vision
• What’s s/he saying
about human nature,
the way the world
works, our relations to
others?
• It’s just one view &
it’s up for
interpretation
• Death of the Author