San Jose City College
   Understanding the Elements of Fiction


To enjoy a novel and read it successfully, it helps to understand the basic elements of fiction. The following are terms you should know in order to discuss and write about the novel.

    Setting - The setting of the novel includes the time, place, landscape, and physical objects, such as dwellings and buildings, that comprise, or make up, the environment of the novel. This environment has great influence over persons and events; therefore, the setting is very important to the story.

    Narrator - The narrator is the one who tells the story, thereby shaping the description of events. In first person narration, the narrator participates in the action of the story. In third person narration, the narrator does not participate in the action of the story but in telling it reveals tells or makes known     the thoughts and feelings of the characters. Skim the first page of Lupita Mañana. Is the novel written in first or third person narration?

    Characterization - This term refers to the characters in the story and how they develop emotionally, intellectually, morally, and personally through their response to pivotal having a very important effect on the way someone or something develops   events in the story. Their personal strengths and weaknesses become apparent clear or obvious   as they confront crises the plural of crisis, a sad and difficult life-changing event   and deal with challenges.

    Plot - The plot of the novel is the storyline. It involves a chain of events, one event leading to another. Certain events bring about turning points  pivotal events that bring about change  in the lives of the main characters. Look for turning points in the lives of Lupita and Salvador. How do they change and how are they different at the end of the story? How has their relationship changed? What has caused these changes? What lessons have they learned?

    Conflict - Conflict occurs most noticeably in moments of crisis, requiring a character to make a difficult decision. The conflict can be due to a struggle within oneself, with another person, with society in general, or with external events and circumstances within one's environment. Even the physical environment (various aspects of setting) often creates conflict.

    Mood - The mood or feeling that predominates throughout the novel flows from words or phrases that evoke to produce a strong feeling   certain emotions. The overall mood of the novel is fairly unified throughout. Open the cover and read the introductory page. What predominant mood or feeling does this scene from the novel evoke? After reading it, open this tip fright, terror, sadness   to see words that express the tenor of the passage.

    Theme - There can be several themes within a novel, and the most important theme recurs throughout the story. It gives a view about life and how people behave. In other words, we understand more about human nature after reading the novel. The theme is presented indirectly through the main characters' thoughts and actions as they interact with each other and their environment (the setting). To find the main theme, notice repeating patterns of thought and symbols. Focus on the details in the story and ask what greater meaning they may have. What experiences and situations are alluded  mentioned indirectly  to throughout?

    Symbol - A symbol is a physical object that represents something nonmaterial, such as an idea or an emotion. Often the writer will use symbolism to foreshadow predict or point to a future event   a future event.

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