Plot mountain
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas
Exposition: The beautiful city of Omelas is introduced as a place filled with happiness and joy.
Inciting Incident: The citizens discover that their happiness relies on the suffering of a single child who is locked away in a basement.
Rising Action:
Citizens begin to struggle with the moral implications of their happiness derived from the child's suffering.
Some residents confront the reality of the situation and question the ethics behind their happiness.
A choice arises: to remain in Omelas and accept the child's fate or to walk away into an uncertain future.
Climax: Individuals face the critical decision of either accepting the moral compromise of their city or rejecting it completely.
Falling Action: Those who choose to walk away leave Omelas, symbolizing a rejection of the ethical price of their happiness.
Resolution: The ambiguous destination for those who walk away represents the choice for a more ethical existence beyond the confines of Omelas.
The Lottery
Exposition: The story is set in a small, seemingly idyllic town on a clear summer day. The townspeople gather for an annual event known as the lottery, creating a sense of anticipation among the children and adults alike.
Inciting Incident: The villagers begin the lottery, as Mr. Summers, the unofficial leader, prepares the black box used for the drawing.
Rising Action:
The townspeople gather around, chatting and filling out the traditional roles in the lottery process, building tension and curiosity.
The drawing begins; families draw slips of paper from the black box, heightening the suspense as they anxiously await the outcome.
Tessie Hutchinson realizes she has drawn the marked paper (with a black dot), leading to a mix of disbelief and protest from her.
Climax: Tessie protests against the fairness of the lottery, claiming it isn't right, as the townspeople gather to prepare for her stoning.
Falling Action: The townspeople advance on Tessie with stones in hand, illustrating the chilling acceptance of tradition amidst growing horror.
Resolution: Tessie's terrified screams echo as the townspeople carry out the brutal act, showcasing the dark side of human nature and the dangers of blindly following tradition.
Plot Mountain for 'The Lady, or the Tiger?'
Exposition: The story is set in a semi-barbaric kingdom ruled by a king who has devised a unique form of justice through a public trial. The king's system allows the accused to choose between two doors: one conceals a beautiful lady, and the other hides a fierce tiger.
Inciting Incident: The main character, a young man, is accused of having an affair with the king's daughter, the princess.
Rising Action:
The princess is torn between her love for the young man and her jealousy toward the lady behind one of the doors.
She learns the secret of which door conceals the lady and which one conceals the tiger, creating inner conflict within her.
Climax: During the trial, as the young man stands before the two doors, he looks towards the princess for guidance, leading to a pivotal moment where he must make his choice based on her signal.
Falling Action: The young man opens the door indicated by the princess, relying on her signal to determine his fate.
Resolution: The story ends ambiguously as the young man steps through the door, leaving the reader questioning whether he will find love or death, and reflecting on the princess's choice regarding his destiny.
Plot Mountain for 'American History' by Judith Ortiz Cofer
Exposition: The story introduces Elena, a Puerto Rican girl who struggles with her identity and the challenges of fitting into American culture while living in a predominantly white neighborhood in New Jersey.
Inciting Incident: Elena develops a crush on a boy named Eugene and feels hopeful about their budding friendship, even though she is acutely aware of the differences in their backgrounds.
Rising Action:
Elena's excitement builds as she spends more time with Eugene, but she is also aware of the discrimination she faces due to her ethnicity.
The neighborhood faces the tensions of the early 1960s, reflecting the social and racial divisions that impact Elena's life.
Climax: The story takes a tragic turn when the assassination of President John F. Kennedy occurs, deeply affecting the community, and leading to a confrontational encounter where Eugene's mother does not approve of their friendship.
Falling Action:
Elena realizes her dream of a relationship with Eugene is unattainable due to societal prejudices and parental influences, magnified by the national tragedy.
Resolution: Heartbroken and feeling rejected, Elena reflects on her identity and experiences a profound sense of isolation, recognizing the barriers that cultural differences impose on her life and hopes.
Plot Mountain for 'The Cask of Amontillado'
Exposition: The story is set during Carnival in an unnamed Italian city, introducing Montresor, who harbors a grudge against Fortunato.
Inciting Incident: Montresor encounters Fortunato and mentions his acquisition of a rare wine, Amontillado, piquing Fortunato's interest and sense of pride.
Rising Action:
Montresor leads Fortunato deep into the catacombs under his home, ostensibly to confirm the authenticity of the Amontillado.
As they descend further, Fortunato becomes increasingly intoxicated and oblivious to the signs of Montresor's true intentions.
Climax: Montresor finally seals Fortunato inside a niche in the wall of the catacombs, revealing his intent to exact revenge.
Falling Action: Fortunato initially thinks it is a joke, but as he realizes the gravity of the situation, he begins to scream and plead for his release.
Resolution: Montresor concludes the act of revenge, leaving Fortunato to die in the darkness,
Plot Mountain for 'The Most Dangerous Game'
Exposition: The story introduces Sanger Rainsford, a big-game hunter, as he travels by ship to hunt in South America. He falls overboard and swims to a deserted island called Ship-Trap Island.
Inciting Incident: Rainsford is horrified yet intrigued, and Zaroff challenges him to be the next prey in a three-day hunt.
Rising Action:
The Malay Mancatcher: A fallen tree propped up by a trigger that swings down to injure Zaroff if he steps on it.
The Burmese Tiger Pit: A concealed pit lined with sharp stakes that traps and potentially injures Zaroff when he falls in.
The Ugandan Knife Trap: A knife tied to a sapling that snaps back to wound Zaroff when released.
Climax: Rainsford jumps off the cliff into the sea
Falling Action: Zaroffs internal conflict dialogue
Resolution: Rainsford reveals himself and kills zarroff and takes his mansion