Literature: Prose
What you'll learn
- Identify and analyse the six elements of a story
- Classify characters by role and complexity (flat vs round, static vs dynamic)
- Distinguish between first, second, and third-person narrative points of view
- Recognise and interpret literary devices including metaphor, simile, irony, and symbolism
Key concepts
The Six Elements of a Story
| Element | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plot | The sequence of events | Exposition → Rising action → Climax → Falling action → Resolution |
| Setting | Time and place of the story | "A small village in rural India, during the monsoon of 1947" |
| Character | The people (or beings) in the story | Protagonist, antagonist, supporting characters |
| Theme | The central message or life lesson | "Courage matters more than strength." |
| Conflict | The problem or struggle that drives the plot | Internal (within a character) or External (with another person/nature/society) |
| Point of View | The perspective from which the story is told | First person ("I"), Third person limited, Third person omniscient |
Plot Structure — Freytag's Pyramid
Climax
/ \
Rising Action Falling Action
/ \
Exposition Resolution
- Exposition: Background — introduces characters, setting, and situation.
- Rising Action: Events that build tension toward the climax.
- Climax: The turning point — highest tension, most important moment.
- Falling Action: Events after the climax that lead toward the resolution.
- Resolution (Denouement): The conflict is resolved; the story ends.
Types of Characters
By Role
| Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Protagonist | The main character; usually the one we follow |
| Antagonist | The character (or force) in opposition to the protagonist |
| Foil | A character whose traits contrast with the protagonist to highlight them |
| Supporting character | Minor characters who advance the plot or develop the main character |
By Complexity
| Type | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Round character | Complex, multi-dimensional, believable | Has both strengths and flaws |
| Flat character | One-dimensional, defined by one trait | The "purely evil" villain |
| Static character | Does not change through the story | A background mentor |
| Dynamic character | Changes significantly (in belief, attitude, or values) | A coward who finds courage |
Tip: The protagonist is almost always a round, dynamic character — they face the conflict and are changed by it.
Narrative Point of View
| POV | Features | Effect on reader |
|---|---|---|
| First person ("I") | Narrator is a character; we see only their thoughts | Intimate, personal — we trust and identify with the narrator |
| Second person ("you") | Rare; narrator addresses "you" | Immersive; puts the reader in the story |
| Third person limited | Narrator is outside the story; only knows one character's thoughts | Some intimacy; mystery about other characters |
| Third person omniscient | Narrator knows ALL characters' thoughts and feelings | Full picture; author can comment on anything |
Literary Devices
Simile
A comparison using "like" or "as." "Her voice was like a gentle river — always flowing, never still."
Metaphor
A direct comparison — states one thing IS another. "Life is a journey, and every mistake is just a detour."
Personification
Giving human qualities to a non-human thing. "The wind whispered secrets through the trees."
Irony
A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens.
- Verbal irony: Saying the opposite of what you mean (sarcasm: "Oh great, another Monday.")
- Situational irony: A fire station burns down.
- Dramatic irony: The audience knows something a character does not.
Symbolism
Using an object, colour, or event to represent a larger idea.
- A dove = peace
- A broken clock = lost time
- White = purity or death (depending on context)
Foreshadowing
Hints at future events. "The old woman glanced at the clouds and muttered, 'This will not end well.'"
Analysing Prose — The TEEL Method for Literature Responses
When writing about a text, use:
- Topic sentence: state what you are analysing
- Evidence: quote or reference from the text
- Explanation: explain what the quote means or shows
- Link: connect to theme or author's purpose
Example: The author uses personification to suggest that nature is aware of the character's suffering. In the line "the trees bent low as if grieving," the natural world mirrors the protagonist's internal grief. This device reinforces the theme that isolation in nature reflects emotional isolation in human relationships.
Quick check
- What is the difference between a static and a dynamic character?
- Identify the literary device: "The classroom was a battlefield of whispers and glares."
- What type of conflict is present when a character struggles with their own conscience?
- Which point of view limits the reader to knowing only one character's inner thoughts?
- At what point in Freytag's Pyramid does the main problem reach its highest tension?
Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Literature and Prose.
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