Short Story Analysis Study Notes

Short Story Analysis Study Notes

• Protagonist vs. Antagonist: Identifying the main character (protagonist) and the character(s) opposing them (antagonist) is crucial for understanding the story's conflict.

• Types of Conflict:

  • Internal Conflict: A struggle within a character (e.g., character vs. self).
  • External Conflict: A struggle between a character and an outside force:
    • Character vs. Character(s)
    • Character vs. Nature
    • Character vs. Society
    • Character vs. Supernatural

• Pathos: A literary device used to evoke pity, compassion, or sympathy in the reader toward a character or event.

• Foreshadowing: Hints or clues in a story that suggest future events, helping readers anticipate what might happen.

• Irony: A contrast between expectation and reality.

  • Situational Irony: An event occurs that is the opposite of what is expected.
  • Verbal Irony: A character says something that means the opposite of what is literally stated (often sarcasm).

• Theme: The central message or main idea the author conveys through the story's events and characters.

• Symbol: Something tangible (object, animal, person) representing an abstract idea or concept. Examples: A red rose symbolizes love; a raven symbolizes death.

• Ironic Twist: A surprising ending that is the opposite of what is expected.

• Tone vs. Mood:

  • Tone: The author's attitude toward the story's subject matter (e.g., suspenseful, humorous, serious).
  • Mood: The emotional feeling a reader experiences while reading the story. The author creates the tone; the reader experiences the mood.

• Plot Structure Diagram:

  • Exposition: Introduces characters, setting, and basic situation.
  • Rising Action: Events leading to the climax.
  • Climax: The turning point of the story, the most intense moment.
  • Falling Action/Denouement: Events following the climax, leading to resolution.
  • Resolution: The final outcome and conclusion of the story.
  • Inciting Incident: The event that initiates the plot.

• Figurative Language: Various literary devices to create imagery and meaning beyond literal interpretation.

  • Metaphor: A direct comparison of unlike things without using "like" or "as."
  • Simile: A comparison of unlike things using "like" or "as."
  • Hyperbole: An extreme exaggeration.
  • Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
  • Allusion: A reference to a historical or literary figure, event, or place.