This Is An Exapmle Of What Is Expectedelements Of Fiction Exe ✓ Solved

This IS AN EXAPMLE OF WHAT IS EXPECTED ELEMENTS OF FICTION EXERCISE 1. Plot (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) 1. Narration/Point of view 1. protagonist 1. antagonist 1. conflict 1. symbolism 1. setting 1. irony 1. theme ELEMENTS OF FICTION IN “STORY OF AN HOUR” Explanation of the Assignment: The following example is a breakdown of this short story that analyzes how the author uses the various elements of fiction to make the story effective. If there is one thing you should learn from the following analysis, it is that these elements are not isolated from one another. They, in fact, influence one another, and by understanding how these elements work together we can gain a deeper understanding of a story and, possibly, how the story might be relevant to our own lives even if it was written in 1894.

For example, it becomes clear through the analysis that the conflict, the characterization of Mrs. Mallard, the setting, and the symbolism are closely related and help lead us to a statement of theme. Again, don’t view the elements as totally separate features. To some degree in each story many of the elements are very closely related.

EXAMPLE: Plot: The plot is very condensed because it reflects the title—it takes place in one hour's time. The author uses a chronological order to develop the plot. The events are presented in the actual order of time they take place. This story has a very brief exposition, only one sentence, in which the reader learns that Mrs. Mallard has a weak heart and that there was concern regarding how she might take the news of her husband’s death. Would it be too much for her? The rising action deals with Mrs. Mallard coming to the realization of her true feelings about the situation. The climax occurs when Mrs. Mallard accepts the idea that she is now free to live her life for herself. The action falls as she considers what all of this means and how she feels about it. The resolution is when she learns her husband still lives which causes her to die because of either the shock or disappoint she experiences because of this revelation.

Conflict: The conflict is between Mrs. Mallard and the feelings she is experiencing which are feelings of freedom, release, the ability to live for herself. This is a conflict because the conventions of society demand that she grieve the loss of her husband, mourn his death, and certainly not to focus on how his death might actually make her life better.

Antagonist: The antagonist could be seen as the social and cultural expectations placed on women in the era the story is set—she is struggling with her real feelings and the expectations she knows others would have about how she should respond. Mrs. Mallard is the protagonist because she is the main character and she is the one engaged in the conflict.

Protagonist: Mrs. Mallard, the story’s protagonist, is responding to the news of her husband’s death in a very complex manner. She clearly is taken by surprise by her reaction to her husband’s death and struggles against that reaction because she knows it is not the reaction dictated by the social and cultural setting. It is possible that she is motivated because during the period this story was written, women’s roles were well defined. Women were to take care of the home, not be concerned with the world of work and decision making, and they played secondary roles to the men in the culture at that time.

As Mrs. Mallard points out, “There would be nobody to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself.” This notion is in opposition with the social conventions for women in the late 1800’s.

Setting: This story was written in 1894, so the historical setting has a major influence on the struggle or conflict Mrs. Mallard is experiencing. She is living in a time when women’s roles were very narrowly defined; women had few options as they do today. The setting is directly related to the antagonist in this story because the social and cultural conventions are the cause of her conflict. The geographical setting is in the South which is explained in the “cultural context” passage that comes before the story. Specifically, it explains that in Louisiana, married women were treated more as property than individuals.

Narration/Point of View: The narrator is telling the story from a third person omniscient point of view. Not only do we know what Mrs. Mallard is thinking, but we get glimpses of what the other characters—her sister, Mr. Mallard’s brother, and the doctors—are thinking.

Irony: The irony in the story exists because the reader knows that it was not “the joy that kills” as the doctors declared. Mrs. Mallard did not die because she was too overjoyed by the news her husband was alive. She was distressed that the new life she envisioned was utterly destroyed.

Symbolism: Chopin uses symbolism to suggest new life or rebirth in the paragraphs 4-9. In these paragraphs the author uses images of spring and life to lead the reader to the emotions that Mrs. Mallard will finally give in to. Some examples of this symbolism are “the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life,” “the delicious breath of rain,” and “There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds…” These are symbols of a fresh start and of hope, which are the same feelings that Mrs. Mallard is struggling with.

Theme: By analyzing and forming ideas about the other elements of fiction, it becomes apparent that the common thread among most of the elements deals with the conflict between the individual and social and cultural expectations. A statement of theme for “Story of an Hour” could be that social and cultural expectations are very powerful and can at times force us to suppress our true selves and aspirations.

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The analysis of literature has long been an essential practice in understanding both the narrative itself and the broader societal implications. In literary works, various elements such as plot, character, setting, conflict, and theme together create a tapestry that reflects the author’s intent and the socio-cultural moment of the period. One exemplary work that encapsulates this literary analysis is Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour.” This narrative reveals the intricate connectivity among various elements of fiction, which when examined, create a profound commentary on gender roles and individual freedom within the constraints of a patriarchal society.

The plot of “The Story of an Hour” is elegantly simple yet rich in implication. The brevity of the narrative, taking place within an hour, is symbolic of the rapidity with which life can change and how emotional responses can evolve. The exposition introduces us to Mrs. Mallard, a woman with a heart condition, immediately establishing her fragility. The revelation of her husband’s death sets off a series of internal conflicts, leading to a climactic moment of self-discovery, where she embraces the freedom that comes with the loss of her husband. However, this newfound liberation is short-lived, culminating in an ironic twist that emphasizes the constraints enforced by societal expectations.

The characters are masterfully crafted, with Mrs. Mallard serving as the protagonist, symbolizing the struggle many women faced in the 19th century. Her internal conflict is intensified by the societal norms that dictate how she should mourn. The antagonist in this narrative can be perceived not necessarily as another character but as the oppressive societal expectations that curtail her autonomy. Through Mrs. Mallard, Chopin portrays the universal struggle for self-identity against the backdrop of external constraints, suggesting that personal freedom often comes at a significant cost.

Setting also plays an imperative role in shaping the characters' experiences in "The Story of an Hour." Written during the late 19th century, the historical context is vital to understanding the restrictions on women of that time. In Chopin’s narrative, the setting is not merely a backdrop but a complex interplay of societal norms which influences characters' actions and thoughts. Mrs. Mallard’s realization of freedom is intricately connected to this setting, suggesting that liberation is more than simply a personal journey— it is also shaped by the broader cultural and historical forces at play.

Another layer of complexity is added through Chopin's use of symbolism. The imagery of spring—"the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life"—serves as a potent symbol of renewal and hope. This symbolism is contrasted sharply with the oppression Mrs. Mallard feels, creating a dynamic tension between her internal desires and external realities. The story's use of irony, such as the twist ending that reveals Mr. Mallard is alive, further underscores the fragility of freedom and how quickly it can be snatched away, leaving Mrs. Mallard once again trapped.

The theme that emerges through an analysis of these elements offers a powerful reflection on personal autonomy versus societal expectation. “The Story of an Hour” resonates with readers because it explores the ongoing struggle faced by individuals in seeking their authentic selves within the constraints imposed by society. Chopin’s narrative suggests that the tension between personal desire and societal duty is not only a reflection of a specific time period but a timeless quandary faced by individuals across generations.

In conclusion, the exploration of Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" through the elements of fiction illustrates how brilliantly these components work together to create a lasting impact. The analysis reveals how plot, character dynamics, setting, symbolism, and theme collectively forge a narrative that challenges social norms and encourages the reader to contemplate the complexities of freedom and identity. Through this examination, one gains a deeper appreciation of not only the story itself but also the broader implications it holds regarding the human experience.

References

• Chopin, K. (1894). The Story of an Hour. Vogue.
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