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Narrative Elements Explained
Theme
Definition: Theme is perhaps the most important literary concept because it is the overarching idea that
the writer of the story wants to reader to understand. All other literary concepts are used to create theme.
The theme is the author’s commentary on a subject. For example, in Shakespeare’s Othello, one of the
major themes is how easily human perception can be manipulated when powerful emotions are at play. To
determine the theme, examine other literary elements of the story.
Questions to Consider: First identify the subject (s) of the story and then ask: what is the writer
trying to say about this subject? What literary tools does the writer use to create this theme?
Plot
Definition: Plot is the structure of the narrative as it moves
through time. Most narratives (but not all) follow this traditional
plot structure. It consists of the exposition (introduction of
setting and characters), rising action (events that build conflict
for the protagonist), climax (tension of conflict reaches highest,
most intense point), falling action (the events following the
climax), and denouement (the resolution of conflict).
Questions to Consider: What is the relationship between
the events of the story? How do the actions inform the theme of
the story?
Characters
Definition: Character s are the people involved in the narrative. The process by which a writer creates a
character is called characterization. The main or central character, often considered the hero, is called the
protagonist. The main character who opposes the protagonist is the antagonist, sometimes considered the
villain. Literary analysis of characters often focuses on whether or not and to what extent a character
changes throughout the story.
Questions to Consider: What is the motivation of each character? How do characters grow or transform
throughout the story? Or do they fail to grow or change at all? What does their growth or lack of growth
say about the theme of the story?
Conflict
Definition: Conflict refer s to the issue or problem characters in a story are confronted by. The
narrative is structured around how the characters face the conflict. The four general types of conflicts are:
1) person vs. person (a couple going through a divorce); 2) person vs. self (protagonist wrestling with
depression); 3) person vs. nature (protagonist trying to survive a natural disaster); and 4) person vs.
society (protagonist fighting for civil rights). The interaction of character and conflict creates the central
effect of the story and is the main indicator of meaning.
Questions to Consider: How does the conflict affect the main characters in the story? How is the
conflict resolve d and what does the resolution say about theme? How does the conflict change the
main characters?
The purpose of this resource is to assist in the critical reading of narratives, and to help students explore how
the effect is created and meaning is made. Fiction is best understood by breaking down and discussing terms
common to most stories, be they novels, short fiction, movies, TV shows, etc. These terms include: plot,
characters, point of view, setting, theme, conflict, and style. Understanding how these elements
work helps us better analyze narratives and to determine meanings. Seven main elements of fiction are defined
below followed by a sample of questions to help readers uncover meaning of a given narrative.
