Summary Of Plot, Theme,
Characters and Setting
Here are two versions of
the meaning of each term – think about them in terms of your literature!
- Plot
- How
did the story begin?
- Did
it "hook" you in to the story? How?
- What
happened?
- What
happened first? next? last? etc.
- Was
there a crisis or a complication?
- What
was the problem?
- How
was the problem / conflict resolved?
- Setting
- Where
did the story take place?
- Why
is the setting important?
- Can
you picture the setting in your mind?
- When
did the story take place?
- What
words were used to describe a particular setting?
- Characterisation
- Who
were the main characters?
- What
do you think they looked like?
- What
words were used to describe each character?
- How
would you describe the nature of each character?
- What
incident or event happened which required the character to take a particular action?
- How
do the characters change during the story?
- What do we learn from these changes?
Every novel has the same basic features
or structure:
(i) The Plot which is defined as "a set of units of narrative
that make a single pattern of events, complete in itself." A good plot is credible and firmly based on sound characterisation
and which provides an effective background and atmosphere for the story.
(ii) The Characters who provide the credibility for the
plot and the actions involved. They need to be believable and acceptable to the reader within the framework of the story.
(iii) The Setting or background for the action. The setting
involves both time and place so that the plot and the characters can develop in situations that are credible, at least within
the structure of the story. The setting also involves atmosphere or the mood of the novel. Novels can have settings that are:
happy, horrific, sad, calm and awe inspiring depending on the atmosphere the writer needs to make the plot work.
(iv) The Theme or reason for the telling of the story.
It is the theme that gives meaning to the story.
