Elements of Plot and Conflict

Elements of Plot

Elements of Plot playerThe majority of short stories follow a distinct plot pattern. This allows the reader to become familiar with the characters and the conflict as the action rises to a critical point. After the height in action occurs, the story starts to wrap up, whether you want it to or not. Not every story follows this pattern, but it is very widely used in most stories. In this interactivity, drag and drop the slider to learn more information about each element of plot. Click the player button to begin.

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Elements of Plot Example - Cinderella

It may be easier to apply these elements of plot to a story that you already know. Almost everyone is familiar with the story of Cinderella. Use your cursor to roll over each of the plot elements below to match them with parts of this popular children's fairy tale.

Cinderella's father dies, and she is left to live with her evil stepmother and trifling stepsisters. She is made to do all the work in the house and to wait hand and foot on her family.Cinderella wants to go to the prince's ball, but her family won't let her (the problem). Her fairy godmother visits her and magically transforms her rags into a dress, a pumpkin into a coach, and mice into horses. She tells her that all this magic will end at midnight. Cinderella goes to the ball and catches the eye of the prince; they dance late into the night.Cinderella realizes that it is almost midnight, so she runs away from the prince and leaves the ball. As she leaves, she loses her glass slipper on the castle steps. The magic expires while she's on her way home, and everything turns back to what it was, except the lost slipper which the prince finds.The prince is determined to find the woman with whom he danced the entire evening. He decrees that every female in the land be fitted for the tiny glass slipper she left behind.Cinderella is the only one in the land whose foot fits in the delicate shoe. She is reunited with the prince, and they get married and live

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Setting and Paradox

The setting is the time and place of the action of the story. It tells the reader where and when the story takes place. A paradox is a contradiction in meanings which is actually true. In other words, you notice that a statement does not seem like it could work, but it actually does. A contradiction occurs when two things are in opposition of each other. To tie it back to Cinderella, consider this statement: Cinderella is fortunate to have lived an unfortunate life. Does this make sense? At first it may not, but consider the sentence more carefully. It really is true. How can Cinderella be fortunate and unfortunate at the same time (the contradiction)? Consider the second part of the statement first. Was Cinderella's life unfortunate? Yes, it was. She could never go anywhere, and she was treated as a slave. This is a very sad way to live. The first part of the statement is where some people might have a little trouble. Why was Cinderella fortunate to have lived such a bad life? If she had not been banned from the ball and treated as a slave, she probably would never have been visited by her fairy godmother. In addition, she would not have attended the ball as the beautiful, mysterious young lady she was. Also, she probably would not be the nice, kind, and understanding person she became because of all the difficulty she had in her life. Therefore, the statement Cinderella is fortunate to have lived an unfortunate life is a true paradox.

"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell

Published in 1924, "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell is a clever, suspenseful story about hunters and those that they hunt. During the time period in which the story was written, hunting large game on safaris in Africa was a popular pastime for very rich individuals. Some people considered this activity to be a cruel practice. As you read the story, you will begin to notice that the word "game" in the title has multiple meanings. Because of the exciting and unique nature of the plot of "The Most Dangerous Game," writers and producers have made many television and movie adaptations with similar stories. In fact, a movie based on the story was one of the first movies to include sound.

reading iconNow, read "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. Make sure to use your active reading strategies. While you read, take specific notes about the plot of the story, paying close attention to the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution; also, note the story's setting. Think carefully about the character of General Zaroff; how is he a paradox?

In "The Most Dangerous Game," both General Zaroff and Rainsford are paradoxes. Based on General Zaroff's vast property, expensive food and drink, and lavish hobbies, the reader can assume that he is a wealthy, high-class individual; however, he participates in a "sport" that most people would consider to be disgusting and a violation of human rights. On the other hand, Rainsford begins the story as the hunter, only to become the hunted.

Conflict

Conflicts in Literature playerJust like every story has a recognizable plot structure, every story also has a problem. This problem is what makes a story interesting. Think about your favorite books, movies, and/or television shows. Would they be as interesting if everyone was happy and always got what they wanted? They probably would not be. In literature, a problem which must be resolved is called conflict. Conflicts can be internal or external. In this interactivity, click on each of the tabs to learn more about internal and external conflicts. Click the player button to begin.

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There are three different types of internal and external conflicts:

Internal Conflicts External Conflicts
  • Man vs. Himself
  • Man vs. Man
  • Man vs. Nature

Think about Rainsford in "The Most Dangerous Game." His internal conflict is easy to recognize. He struggled with himself in trying to hold on to his nerve as he was hunted by General Zaroff. He had to hold on to his courage and not give up. What forces did Rainsford go up against? Of course, he had to struggle against General Zaroff, right? But he also went up against other things too. He fought the sea as he swam to Ship-Trap Island. He fought the jungle as he struggled to survive while being hunted. All of these were external conflicts.

 

Elements of Plot and Conflict Review

Plot, Setting, and Paradox Review playerself-check iconNow that you have learned about plot, setting, paradox and conflict, review your knowledge in this non-graded activity. Read the directions associated with each question and select the correct response or responses. Then, click SUBMIT to check your answer(s). Click the player button to get started.