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
• Man vs. Nature
• Man vs. Man
• Man vs. Self
• Man vs. Society
Characterization
• How a writer reveals a character’s personality
• Shown through:» 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 (all-knowing)
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
