Master Lecture Notes
MASTER LECTURE 1/5
What Makes A Short Story A Short Story?
Dr. Rica Bolipata-Santos
June 30, 2014
Structure of Lecture
- Definitions
- Conflict
- Blowfish
Definitions
"Defining is never a complete process."
SHORT STORY
- Mac dictionary: a story with a fully developed theme but significantly shorter and less elaborate than a novel
- Merriam-Webster: an invented prose narrative shorter than a novel usually dealing with a few characters and aiming at unity of effect and often concentrating on the creation of mood rather than plot (1887; Synonyms: yarn, tale, folktale, fable, etc)
- Reader's Companion to Literature: - a prose narrative of limited length. - As old as any other literary form - It requires more than the mere reporting of a series of events. - It must have characterization, unity, cumulative interest, climax, resolution
- Definition from a fiction writer: When well told, a story captured the subtle movement of change. If a novel was a map of the country, a story was the bright silver pin that marked the crossroads." - Ann Patchett
1887 - MW
"A short story must have a single mood and every sentence must build towards it." - Edgar Allan Poe
- more concentrated approach to theme compared to novels
CONFLICT
- the necessary ingredient of the short story
- catching characters
- makes you aware of the different opposing forces
crossroad = change chaos = order dissolution = resolution man vs. a force outside of himself man vs. a fellow human being (enemy/ies) man vs. himself - internal conflict
The story is as rich as its conflict
"BLOWFISH" by Wang Renshu
He'd gotten this bit of folklore by word of mouth, and he'd made up his mind to do it.
He'd begged a basket of fugu blowfish from somewhere and was quietly taking them into his home.
In three years of famine, the grain he'd brought in had just covered the rent. The five people in the family
What Makes A Short Story A Short Story?
Dr. Rica Bolipata-Santos
June 30, 2014
Structure of Lecture
- Definitions
- Conflict
- Blowfish
Definitions
"Defining is never a complete process."
SHORT STORY
- Mac dictionary: a story with a fully developed theme but significantly shorter and less elaborate than a novel
- Merriam-Webster: an invented prose narrative shorter than a novel usually dealing with a few characters and aiming at unity of effect and often concentrating on the creation of mood rather than plot (1887; Synonyms: yarn, tale, folktale, fable, etc)
- Reader's Companion to Literature: - a prose narrative of limited length. - As old as any other literary form - It requires more than the mere reporting of a series of events. - It must have characterization, unity, cumulative interest, climax, resolution
- Definition from a fiction writer: When well told, a story captured the subtle movement of change. If a novel was a map of the country, a story was the bright silver pin that marked the crossroads." - Ann Patchett
1887 - MW
"A short story must have a single mood and every sentence must build towards it." - Edgar Allan Poe
- more concentrated approach to theme compared to novels
CONFLICT
- the necessary ingredient of the short story
- catching characters
- makes you aware of the different opposing forces
crossroad = change chaos = order dissolution = resolution man vs. a force outside of himself man vs. a fellow human being (enemy/ies) man vs. himself - internal conflict
The story is as rich as its conflict
"BLOWFISH" by Wang Renshu
He'd gotten this bit of folklore by word of mouth, and he'd made up his mind to do it.
He'd begged a basket of fugu blowfish from somewhere and was quietly taking them into his home.
In three years of famine, the grain he'd brought in had just covered the rent. The five people in the family