Elements of a short story

· Short story - brief fictional prose narrative

that is shorter than a novel and that usually deals with only a few characters.

7 elements:

- Theme                     - Plot

- Settings                  - Conflict

- Characters             - Figures of Speech

- Point of view

Settings – time/place/environment (history/weather/atmosphere)

Characters – is a person/animal/things who takes part in the action of a short story.

Types of characters:

§  Main characters – important people

§  Minor characters – usually static

Characters according to principality:

§  Protagonist – character that reader emphasizes

§  Antagonist – against the protagonist

Characters according to development:

§  Dynamic – a character that exhibits noticeable development

§  Static – a character who exhibits no changes and development

Characters according to personality:

§  Round – displays multiple personalities

§  Flat – reveals conventional traits

Characterization – method used by the author to reveal the personality of the character/s.

§  Direct – narrator’s direct comment

§  Indirect – physical appearance, speech, thoughts, feelings or actions

Plot – Sequence of events in a story

Includes:

§ Exposition Statement – part of plot that tells how the story begins

§ Rising action – actions leading up to climax

§ Conflict – problems between opposing force

§ Climax – point of crisis in the plot, reader’s highest point of interest

§ Falling action – action after climax

§ Resolution – final outcome

Theme – central idea that the author wants to convey to the readers.

            Ex. Friendship and Loyalty

Conflict – is the opposition of forces which ties one incident to another to make the plot move.

Types of conflict:

§ Man vs. Man – villains

§ Man vs. Nature – animals/natural disaster

§ Man vs. Society – government/society/cult

§ Man vs. Supernatural beings – ghost/aliens

§ Man vs. Himself

Point of view

Dialogue = when characters speak

Narration = when the narrator speak

Quotation Marks separate narration from dialogue

§  First-person view – Narrator is part of the story (I, me)

§  Second-person view – usually for instructions (you, your)

§  Third-person view – he, she, they, them

Types of third-person view:

§  Omniscient – thoughts and feelings of more than one character

§  Limited – thoughts and feelings of one character

§  Objective – dialogues and actions only

Reflexive Pronoun

- Pronouns that ends with –self or -selves that are used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same. They can act as either direct objects or indirect object

List of English Reflexive Pronouns:

 - Myself                    - Itself

 - Yourself                 - Ourselves

 - Himself                  - Yourselves

 - Herself                   - Themselves

 - Oneself

Direct Object – The thing that are acted upon

Indirect Object – Recipient of the object

Reflexive Pronoun as Direct Object:

 - when the subject and direct object are one and the same

            Ex. “She knitted herself a new sweater”

Reflexive Pronoun as Indirect Object:

 Ex. “She made herself a cup of tea”

Common Errors – Most common mistakes are in compound subjects or compound objects in a sentence.

Analytical Listening

Listening for Appreciation

- Often referred to as "appreciative listening," involves listening to something for pure enjoyment or pleasure. Primary goal is to savor and enjoy the experience without the need for critical analysis or deep understanding.

Key points about Listening for Appreciation:

·       Enjoyment - Appreciative listening is all about enjoying what you're hearing. This can include listening to music, watching a captivating movie, attending a live performance, or even appreciating the beauty of nature through sounds.

·       Emotional Response - It often elicits emotional responses. For example, when you listen to your favorite music, it may evoke feelings of happiness, nostalgia, or relaxation.

·       No need for Analysis - Unlike other forms of listening, such as analytical or comprehensive listening, you don't need to dissect or analyze the content. You can simply let yourself be carried away by the experience.

Empathetic Listening

- involves listening with the intention of understanding and empathizing with the speaker's emotions, thoughts, and feelings. This type of listening goes beyond just hearing words; it seeks to connect with the speaker on an emotional level.

Key points about Empathetic Listening:

·       Understanding Emotions – involves listening with the intention of understanding and empathizing with the speaker's emotions, thoughts, and feelings. This type of listening goes beyond just hearing words; it seeks to connect with the speaker on an emotional level.

·       Non-Judgemental – Empathetic listeners are non-judgmental. They don't criticize or evaluate the speaker's thoughts or feelings; instead, they validate and acknowledge them.

·       Active Presence - Empathetic listening requires active presence and full attention. It means being fully engaged in the conversation and showing genuine interest in the speaker's well-being.

Comprehensive Listening

- also referred to as "comprehension listening," is a type of listening where the primary goal is to fully understand and grasp the content and message being conveyed by the speaker. This form of listening is often characterized by active engagement and the desire to gain a complete understanding of the information being shared.

Key points about Comprehensive Listening

·       Active Engagement – Comprehensive listening requires active participation and concentration. Listeners are fully engaged in the communication process and make an effort to comprehend the message.

·       Information Retrieval – Listeners focus on extracting information, facts, and details from what is being said. This is particularly important in academic settings, lectures, or when receiving instructions.

·       Note-Taking - Comprehensive listeners often take notes to capture important points, key concepts, and details. Note-taking aids in retaining and recalling the information later.

Analytical Listening

- is being a “better” listener by listening critically to a person, a song, or other audio materials to get the message that is intended to be conveyed by the speaker. Being an analytical listener, you have to consider listening in two aspects: listening to understand and listening to evaluate.

Tips to be an analytical listener:

·  Withhold judgment – It is often difficult to understand another person’s ideas especially when you have a strong opinion about something but you have to listen first before you evaluate.

·  Talk and interrupt less – Sometimes the best approach to listening is to let the speaker talk. Speak only when necessary. In this way, quality communication is achieved and your level of understanding improved.

·  Ask questions – Sincere questions are genuine requests for information to gather facts and details, clarify meanings and encourage a speaker to elaborate.

·  Paraphrase – Paraphrasing involves restating speaker’s ideas in your own words to make sure you have understood them correctly.

·  Attend to non-verbal cues – Focusing on a speaker’s non-verbal cues may tell you more than his or her words. Non-verbal cues include gestures, postures, vocal tones, facial expression, and more.

·       Take notes – When the conversation involves details or ideas you need to remember, notes can be essential.

·       Analyze the speaker’s evidence - As a good listener, you need to ask yourself about evidences a speaker gives to support his or her statements. Once you’ve identified the evidence, you need to make sure it is valid.

When do we say that evidences/proofs are valid or invalid?

 - The validity of evidences means details given were research- based, true, and supported by statistics.

 - Evidences are invalid on the other hand if they are opinionated and not supported research.

Analytical listening involves problem solving or decision making. You have to ask yourself questions like

·       ‘what is the speaker trying to say?’

·       ‘what is the main argument being presented?’

·       ‘how does what I hear differ from my beliefs or opinions?’

- Remember your values and opinions are based on your ability to process information to be able to solve problems or make informed decisions after weighing pros and cons.


The Necklace

- is a short story written by renowned French writer Guy de Maupassant. It was first published in 1884 and is considered one of his most famous works. This story set in the late 19^th – Century Paris and revolves around the life of the protagonist, Mathilde Loisel.

About the author: Guy de Maupassant

- born on August 5, 1850, in France, was a renowned French writer known for his concise and vivid storytelling. He gained fame for his mastery of the short story format. His legacy endures through his exploration of human nature and everyday life in 19^th – century France, making him a prominent figure in French literature. He passed away on July 6, 1893, in Paris, leaving a lasting impact on the world of literature.

Plot summary:

 - The story revolves around Mathilde Loisel, a charming woman who believes she is destined for greater things.

 - Mathilde Loisel is a discontented and materialistic woman who dreams of a more luxurious and glamorous life. She is unhappy with her modest circumstances and feels that she deserves more. When she receives an invitation to a high-society ball, she is ecstatic but realizes that she lacks the proper attire and jewelry to fit in with the upper-class attendees.

 - Desperate to appear wealthy, Mathilde borrows a beautiful diamond necklace from her friend Madame Forestier. At the ball, she is the center of attention and enjoys herself immensely. However, on returning home, she discovers that she has lost the borrowed necklace.

 - Panicked and fearing the consequences of Madame Forestier's anger, Mathilde and her husband, Monsieur Loisel, decide to replace the necklace without revealing the loss. They use their savings and even go into debt to purchase a new necklace identical to the lost one. For years, they live in poverty, working tirelessly to repay their debts.

 - The story takes a dramatic turn when Mathilde and Madame Forestier finally meet again. Mathilde confesses the loss of the necklace, expecting harsh retribution. However, Madame Forestier reveals that the necklace she had lent was a fake, worth very little. Mathilde's sacrifices and years of hardship were in vain.

Settings

Place:

 - The story is primarily set in Paris, France.

 - Specific locations include the Loisel's modest apartment and the grand mansion where the ball takes place.

Time:

 - "The Necklace" is set in the late 19th century, during the Belle Époque era, which translates to "Beautiful Era." This period in France was characterized by optimism, innovation, and cultural flourishing.

Historical Period:

 - The story takes place in the latter part of the 19th century, a time of significant social and economic disparities in France.

 - The Belle Époque was marked by a stark contrast between the extravagant lifestyles of the upper class and the struggles of the working class.

Characters:

Mathilde Loisel

- Her desire for material possessions and social recognition sets the story in motion as she borrows Madame Forestier's necklace for the ball and later loses it, leading to a series of consequences.

Monsieur Loisel (Mathilde's Husband)

- Monsieur Loisel is Mathilde's husband, a simple and content man who loves his wife deeply.

- He is willing to make sacrifices to make Mathilde happy, even though it means going into debt to replace the lost necklace.

- Monsieur Loisel's character serves as a foil to Mathilde's, highlighting her dissatisfaction and desire for material wealth.

Madame Forestier

- Madame Forestier is a wealthy friend of Mathilde. She lends Mathilde the beautiful diamond necklace for the ball.

- While Madame Forestier is not a central character, her role is pivotal as the necklace becomes the source of conflict in the story.

- Her revelation at the end of the story about the true value of the necklace has a significant impact on Mathilde's life.

Themes

Dangers of Envy

- The story explores the dangers of envy and the importance of contentment.

Materialism and Social Status

- Madame Loisel's relentless desire for wealth and social status drives the narrative and illustrates the theme of materialism.

Deception and Appearances

- Madame Loisel's relentless desire for wealth and social status drives the narrative and illustrates the theme of materialism.

Self-Discovery and Resilience

- The theme of self-discovery emerges as Madame Loisel undergoes personal growth and resilience in the face of adversity.

Conflicts

Man vs. Man (Madame Loisel vs. Monsieur Loisel)

- Madame Loisel's desire for a lavish lifestyle puts her in conflict with her husband, Monsieur Loisel, who is content with their modest means. Their differing attitudes toward wealth and sacrifice strain their relationship throughout the story.

Man vs. Society (Madame Loisel vs. Society’s Expectations)

- Madame Loisel's internal conflict is exacerbated by societal pressure, as she succumbs to the expectations of Parisian society, leading her to borrow a necklace she cannot afford in order to fit in at the ball. Society's relentless emphasis on materialism and appearances drives the story's plot and Madame Loisel's desperation.

Man vs. Himself (Madame Loisel vs. Her Own Desires and Pride)

- Madame Loisel grapples with her inner desires for wealth and social status, which create a sense of discontent and longing. Her refusal to accept her true circumstances and her pride prevent her from confessing the loss of the borrowed necklace, leading to her own downfall and highlighting the theme of self-deception and personal conflict.

The Necklace: A Symbol

- The necklace in the story symbolizes materialism and the deception that wealth and status can bring.

The Climax: The Loss of the Necklace

- The climax of the story occurs when Mathilde realizes she has lost the necklace.

Resolution: The Price of Pride

- Mathilde and her husband spend the next ten years living in poverty to repay the debt of the replacement necklace.

The Twist: The Necklace was a Fake

- The final twist reveals that the original necklace was a fake, highlighting the futility of Mathilde's aspirations.

Conclusion: Lessons from ‘The Necklace’

- The Necklace' teaches us about the dangers of envy, the illusion of wealth, and the importance of being content with what we have.