Literary Conventions

Plot

Plot Style Free Indirect Discourse Theme Time and Space Conventions Spirituality Characterization

Selection List:

Works Examined: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Sula by Toni Morrison Meridian by Alice Walker   Literary Conventions   Questions and Exercises

The "plot" in a work of literature answers the question, "what happened?"  The organization of events and facts in the work may or may not be narrated in chronological order.  However, coherence in terms of causation or association of events is expected.

Every plot contains a conflict between opposing forces.  These forces may be depicted as either external (between two or more persons, person and community, person and environment) or internal (spiritual or moral conflict within the individual).  The conflict or tension between these forces escalates in a series of actions and events until reaching a "climax."  The climax represents the height of disharmony and the turning point in the story.  Following the climax or crisis, the second half of the plot involves resolution.  Contained in the resolution are the "catastrophe" or "falling action."  These are the episodes in the story marking the fall of the hero or heroine, moral lessons, settling conflict, and reunification of the hero or heroine to self and/or community.  The resolution is often referred to as "denouement," the final unraveling of plot.

Assignment:

1.  The plots of all three novels are circular.  In fact, an important event at the end of the story in each case is told in the beginning.  Why do you think the authors take this approach and what are the advantages?

2.  What could be Toni Morrison's plan of temporal organization in Sula?  Why does she leave some lapses in the coverage of her characters' lives?  

Program content by Violet Bryan,Ph.D. and Robin Vander