Litarature
Elements of Short Stories by jamalil ali
SETTING
The time and location in which a story takes place is called the setting. For some stories the setting is very important, while for others it is not. There are several aspects of a story's setting to consider when examining how setting contributes to a story (some, or all, may be present in a story): • • • • • place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc) weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc? social conditions - What is the daily life of the character's like? Does the story contain local colour (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)? mood or atmosphere - What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?
CHARACTER
There are two meanings for the word character: • The person in a work of fiction. • The characteristics of a person. Persons in a work of fiction - Antagonist and Protagonist Short stories use few characters. One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character - he/she is the PROTAGONIST. The person (or force) that opposes the main character is called the ANTAGONIST. The Characteristics of a Person In order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem real. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves. The author may reveal a character in several ways: • • • • • Through direct statements by the author/narrator (Direct Characterization) His/her physical appearance What he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams What he/she does or does not do What others say about him/her and how others react to him/her
Characters are convincing if they are: consistent, motivated, and life-like (resemble real people) Types of Characters 1. Rounded Characters –
SETTING
The time and location in which a story takes place is called the setting. For some stories the setting is very important, while for others it is not. There are several aspects of a story's setting to consider when examining how setting contributes to a story (some, or all, may be present in a story): • • • • • place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc) weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc? social conditions - What is the daily life of the character's like? Does the story contain local colour (writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)? mood or atmosphere - What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful or dark and frightening?
CHARACTER
There are two meanings for the word character: • The person in a work of fiction. • The characteristics of a person. Persons in a work of fiction - Antagonist and Protagonist Short stories use few characters. One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character - he/she is the PROTAGONIST. The person (or force) that opposes the main character is called the ANTAGONIST. The Characteristics of a Person In order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem real. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves. The author may reveal a character in several ways: • • • • • Through direct statements by the author/narrator (Direct Characterization) His/her physical appearance What he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams What he/she does or does not do What others say about him/her and how others react to him/her
Characters are convincing if they are: consistent, motivated, and life-like (resemble real people) Types of Characters 1. Rounded Characters –