SETTING. CHARACTER. CONFLICT

SETTING

Stories actually have two types of setting: Physicaland Chronological.

The physical settingis where the story takes place. The “where” can be very general—a small farming community, for example—or very specific—a two story white frame house at 739 Hill Street in Scott City, Missouri.

Likewise, the chronological setting, the “when,” can be equally general or specific. For example, stories can take place in present or past time, a specific time of day, etc.

The author’s choices are important. For example, Shirley Jackson gives virtually no clues as to where or when her story “The Lottery” is set. Examination suggests that she wants the story to be universal, not limited by time or place.

CHARACTER

What type of individuals are the main characters? Brave, cowardly, bored, obnoxious? If you think that the protagonist (main character) is brave, you should be able to tell where in the story you got that perception.

In literature, as in real life, we can evaluate character three ways: what the individual says, what the individual does, and what others say about him or her.

CONFLICT

Two types of conflict are possible: Externaland Internal.

External conflictcould be man against nature (people in a small lifeboat on a rough ocean) or man against man.

Internal conflict happens within one character. For example, a character may have a strong sense of honesty, but when his wife asks him about his faithfulness, he questions how honest he wants to be. This is an internal conflict.

Film and fiction emphasize external conflict not simply because “it’s more interesting” but also because it’s easier to write. In a film script, you merely have to write “A five minute car chase follows” and you’ve filled five minutes. How long would it take to write five minutes worth of dialogue?

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