FORM AND CONTENT OF LITERALLY WORK

Presented by: JACKSON A NYANGE

Course : Literature
 What is content!?
Refer the ideas, information, and message
the writer wants to convey to the reader.
 Elements of content

 Let’s look more closely at the elements of Prose:

 • Characters
 • Plot
 • Setting
 • Narrative Techniques
 • Themes
 Characters
 • All stories have a character or characters. The author
 uses the character’s actions in the story as a driving
 force for the plot – the sequence of events.
 • Characters in stories can be humans, animals, or
 inanimate objects; anything that can be described as an
 individual in the story.
 • The main character in a story is often called the
 ‘protagonist’. Most stories also include an ‘antagonist’,
 Major and Minor characters Characters
Major - These are characters that contribute
significantly to the development of the plot.

Minor characters – These are characters who do NOT

contribute significantly to the development of the main
plot.
• They are often seen in short sections of the story,
rather than
throughout the whole story.
 Who is a protagonist?
We know that a protagonist is one of the leading
characters
(or group of characters) of a story or novel. As such,
the
protagonist is often seen as the hero, main
character or
narrator of the story. The protagonist is a major
character.
 Who is an Antagonist?
Think of a character as a coin, on this coin the
protagonist
would be on the front of the coin and the antagonist
would
be on the back.
Based on this example, you will realize that the
Antagonist is the opposite of the Protagonist.
This process can be done through direct or indirect
How does the author make the characters reveal their personality or character traits in the story?

characterization.
Direct Characterization – This is when the author directly and
clearly describes the traits and personality of the characters.
Indirect Characterization – Here the author doesn’t tell you
what the character’s traits are, but these are revealed through
the character’s Speech, Thoughts, Effect on others, Actions
and
 plot

The plot of the story/novel is the sequence of events

that
makes up the narrative.
A very common plot structure moves from the
opening
(exposition) through action, conflict, climax to the
ending, or
resolution:
 Exposition

The exposition is designed to introduce or present

the story
and provide information about the setting and
characters.
• It helps the reader to understand the context of the
story.
• The exposition is also helps to propel the events of
the plot.
 CONFLICT
 The conflict in the novel helps to drive the plot. It can be
internal
 (within one character) or external.
 INTERNAL CONFLICT
 • The character engages in a physical, mental or emotional
 struggle with some aspect of himself/herself.
 EXTERNAL CONFLICT
 • The character struggles with other characters.
 • The character struggles with some aspect of nature.
 • The character struggles with some aspect of society, for
 example a local community or a national government or
 The climax
The climax describes the point at which the conflict
and
action in the story reaches its peak.
• This is highest point of action in a story or novel
when
the reader is sitting on the edge of their seats not
sure
what will happen next.
 The resolution
 The resolution of the conflict occurs at the end of the
 story and shows that the conflict has come to a close, at
 least temporarily.
 • The story doesn’t always tell you exactly what happens
 in the end, but it does come to a resolution leaving the
 reader with an understanding of what has happened.
 Setting
 In literature, setting refers to the time, place, and circumstances in which a story
occurs. It provides the context for the plot, characters, and theme. Setting can
include elements like historical period, geographic location, social environment, and
even the time of day.
  Ph
y s ic al
 Th S e tt i n
i s e nc g:
s c e ne o mp a s
ry, arc s es t h
s e t in h i te c t e t an g
a b us u re , a n i ble as
e n v i ro t li n g c d se n pec t s
n m i t y s o r o f th e
 So e n t. w o ul d de y d et ai l s story's
c ia l S s cribe t h at im l o c at io
 Th e t t ing : t h e s ou m e r n, s u c
is exp n ds , s s e th e re h as t
l o m e a d e h e we
t a k es re s l l s , and r. F a th
pl ac e . t h e s o c ial sights or exampl er,
s o c ie t I t mi g s tru c t o f t ha e, a s
y , or t h h t in v o l u r e s , t u r b tory
 Hi e prev ve ho c u s t o ms a n
s t o ri c a i l i n w p e , and
 Th a l S e t ti n g g c u lt ur al o p l e be l i
i s t y pe : norms interact wit efs of the c
of s . h eac o
hi s t or
i c al e v et t i ng pl ac h othe mmunity w
Ameri en t s t es t h e r, the h e re t
c an C h a s t r o l e s h e s to
 Ps ivil Wa t i n f l u enc o r y within t h e y p ry
y c h ol o e th e a spe l a y in
r wou c h c i
 Th g ical S l d i n c or p a ra c t e r f i c time
is exa e t ti n g o ra t s a n d period
m in e s t h : e t h e pol i p l o t. F o r a nd h
p e rs p e t i c a i n i g hl ig h
ec t i v e i n t e r na l w l a n d s oc s t a n ce, a ts s i g n
chara s a re o i a s t i f ic a
c t e r's in rl d l c l i ma o
an x i e f lu en c ed by of t he c ha te o f t ry s e t d u ri n n t
tie s , d r ha t e r g th e
reams the environ acters and a.
, or m me n t h
emori a ro u n o w th e i r e m
es , as d
they r them. It m otions, tho
e l a te i u
t o t h e g h t i n v o lv e g h t s , a n d
s t o ry 's e x pl o
se ring
 TIME
 Time is an important element of setting because it frames for
 the reader the period in which the story is taking place.
 • This helps the reader to understand some of the events and
 issues presented.
 • This sets the scene historically, describing whether the story is
 set in the present day, or in the past, or even in the future.
 • It also affects the pace of the story, does it describe events in a
 short period of time, or over many years?
 The weather
The weather describes the conditions that influence
the
physical environment in which the narrative is taking
place.
• The author sometimes uses the weather to set the
tone of the
narrative.
 The atmosphere
 The atmosphere is the emotional environment or mood of
the
 story. Atmosphere can be created by the time of day, the
physical
 state of the environment (bright/cheerful or
dull/dreary/dingy),
 the level of tension or safety that is felt, etc. Here is an
example
 from Escape to Last Man Peak, as the children approach a
 dangerous but exciting climax:
 Narrative techniques
Narrative techniques are the devices the author uses to
convey meaning.
• Here are some examples:
❑ Point of view
❑ Flashback
❑ Foreshadowing
❑ Irony
❑ Symbols
❑ Motifs
 The point of view
 The point of view is the perspective from which the story is
 written.
 The first person point of view is told from the story-teller’s
 (or narrator’s) perspective. The pronouns that are used
 include I, me, my.

 The third person point of view is told by a narrator who is

 not part of the story, and is not describing their own
 experiences. Third person pronouns include he, she, they,
 them, his, hers.
 The point of view
First Person Point of View
• The narrator is the character telling the story. The
narrator is often the protagonist of the story, telling
their own story.
• This means the reader only sees what the narrator
sees or thinks.
• Therefore, the reader might also experience the
biases of the narrator.
 Third Person
 Third Person Limited
 • As the name suggests although the story is told in the
 third person, the narrator does not see everything, so
 this perspective is limited in what is presented.
 Third Person Omniscient
 • From this perspective the author knows and relates all
 the feelings, actions and events that occur in the story.
 • This story is told by an all-knowing (omniscient) figure.
 • Flashback
 • Flashbackis a narrative technique that shows the
readers events that occurred in the past.
• Flashback is used to give the reader information
about
events in the past, to help them understand and
identify
issues they encounter in the story.
 Foreshadowing
 • The author sometimes provides the readers with
 clues/hints of events that might occur as the story or
 novel progresses.
 • For example, in Escape to Last Man Peak, the children
 leave Sunrise Home shortly before Christmas, and
 Pauline takes the Home’s Christmas decorations with
 her. This could be an example of foreshadowing in
 hinting that the children might reach safety in time for
 Christmas.
 Irony

There are at least three types of irony that you will find in
stories; these are:
• Irony
• Dramatic Irony;
• Situational Irony.
Irony is a narrative technique that highlights the opposite of
what is expected. Therefore, a situation is identified as
being ironic if the final outcome is the opposite of what was
expected.
 A symbol
A symbol is something (colour, element of nature, an
item, etc.)
that is used to represent something else.
• In Escape to Last Man Peak, Bess the dog could
be said to be
the symbol of strength and loyalty, guiding and
guarding the
children.
 Motifs
 Motifs are reoccurring
 ideas/events that are
 present throughout the
 story.
 • These ideas/events are
 often symbolic in nature.
 Therefore, the author
 uses them to convey
 additional meaning.
 • Motifs can also add to the
 creation of themes in the
 story/novel.
 A theme
A theme is the overall idea the author tries to convey to the
reader.
Some common themes that are presented in a number of
contemporary classics:
• Childhood Experiences
• Love and family relationships
• Discrimination
• Racism
• Death
• Friendship
What is Form in Literature?
 - Form refers to how a literary work is written or organized.
 - It includes the structure, style, genre, and techniques used.
 - It is different from content, which is *what* the story is about.
 II

Form in Literature
Element 1 - Genre (Type of Literature)
- Genre refers to the category of a literary work:
 - Novel
 - Play (Drama)
 - Poem
 - Short Story
 - Expert Insight: M.H. Abrams emphasized that genre helps readers set
expectations.
 - Examples:
 - Passed Like a Shadow – Novel
 - An Enemy of the People – Play
 - Building the Nation – Poem
 Element 2 - Style
- Style is the writer's unique way of using language.
- Includes figurative language, tone, word choice.
- Expert Insight: Hemingway - simple style;
Shakespeare - poetic style.
- Examples:
 - The Pearl by Steinbeck
 - Passed Like a Shadow by Mapalala
 Element 3 - Structure
- Structure is the physical arrangement of text:
 - Chapters, Acts, Stanzas.
- Expert Insight: Aristotle emphasized beginning,
middle, end.
- Examples:
 - Blossoms of the Savannah
 - An Enemy of the People
 Element 4 - Presentation Techniques
- How the story is told:
 - Narration, Dialogue, Monologue.
- Expert Insight: Wayne C. Booth - narrative voice.
- Examples:
 - The Pearl - third-person narration
 - An Enemy of the People - dialogue
 Element 5 - Time and Chronology
- Sequence of events:
 - Chronological or Flashbacks.
- Expert Insight: Gerard Genette - narrative time
analysis.
- Examples:
 - Passed Like a Shadow - chronological
 - A Freedom Song - reflections on past
 Element 6 - Form Reflecting Theme
- Form helps express the theme:
 - Poems - emotion
 - Plays - conflict
- Expert Insight: Northrop Frye - form reveals theme.
- Examples:
 - The Pearl - struggle between good and evil
 - Song of Lawino - cultural identity
 Summary
- Form includes Genre, Style, Structure,
Presentation, Time, Theme.
- Helps analyze literature more deeply.
- Experts and examples support understanding.
Thank You For Listen