Literature’s Backbone: Setting, Character, Plot, and Theme

Setting

Setting consists of three different elements…

1. Place (e.g. a classroom, Milwaukee, Mexico, the Moon, the galaxy)

2. Time (e.g. present-day, the 1920s, 1776, the future, an hour)

3. Cultural Context (e.g. African-American, Chinese, “Hipsters,” multi-cultural)

Character - Part I• Protagonist - the central character or leading

figure in poetry, narrative, novel or any other story. Could be considered the “hero,” but often has serious flaws.

• Antagonist - a character, group of characters, or concept which stands in opposition to the protagonist or the main character.

Character - Part II• Dynamic (Round) Character - a major

character in a work of fiction who encounters conflict and is changed by it.

• Static (Flat) Character - a minor character in a work of fiction who does not undergo substantial change or growth in the course of a story.

Plot5 Key Parts…

1. Exposition - An introduction to important characters, settings, conflict and events at the beginning of a story.

2. Rising Action - The events that build up from the story’s initial events. Can be good or bad.

3. Turning Point - The moment in the story in which the action changes dramatically.

4. Falling Action - The events that build up from the story’s turning point. Can be good or bad.

5. Resolution - The story brings the action to a conclusion.

Theme• Theme - a main idea or an underlying meaning

of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly.

• What are some themes from Toy Story???