Course/ Subject: English

Unit Title: Introduction to Philippine and World Literature

Lesson: Identifying and analyzing the elements of a short story

I. OBJECTIVES

Given two meetings of an hour and a half each, students will be able to:

A. develop the students love for literature especially Philippine literature;

B. define the meaning of a short story;

C. define the different parts of a short story;

D. identify and analyze the different parts of a story ; and

E. retell the story or to give the summary of the story using the students’ own words

II. SUBJECT MATTER

The Elements of a Short Story by: The study of English Literature by M. J. Turner

www. Wikipedia.com

Short Story- is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format.
This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas (in the
20th and 21st century sense) and novels or books. Short story definitions based upon
length differ somewhat even among professional writers, due somewhat in part to the
fragmentation of the medium into genres. Since the short story format includes a wide
range of genres and styles, the actual length is determined by the individual author's
preference (or the story's actual needs in terms of creative trajectory orstory arc) and the
submission guidelines relevant to the story's actual market. Guidelines vary greatly among
publishers.

A. SETTING

1. The setting (time and place) is generally singular in the short story. If the events
occur over a long period of time, they will usually occur in the same locality.
2. The setting fills out the background: historically, socially, geographically,
politically, economically, or religiously. All stories must have a setting. It maybe
merely decorative and kept in the background.

3. The setting influences the characters, their actions, the theme, and the story’s
outcome. It may include

• Geographical features of a location such as sceenery, a harsh environment,

outer space.

• An urban setting, a building or room

• Occupations and daily living conditions

• Religious, moral, social, political, economic, and emotional climates of the

story

• Dates, times, eras of the historical setting

• Use of time as an element of suspense

B. PLOT AND PLOT STRUCTURE

1. The sequence of incidents or events which comprise the episode of the

story form the plot. The plot of a short story is always single and too short
to permit subplots. To produce a single effect, the plot must allow no
subplot to occur.

2. Structure or development of the plot has a five fold division

• Introduction- The introduction in a short story consists of the following

statements which

a. Indicate the time and place

b. Introduce the main characters

c. Sketch in necessary background

• Generating circumstance- or the complicating factor is introduced with the

presentation of the conflict. This begins the rising action.
• Rising action- consists of the succession of steps or incidents, each presenting
the protagonist, with a minor crisis or climax. The rising action constitutes the
major portion of the plot.

The action is developed principally by incident, description,

characterization, and dialogue.

• Climax- is the highest point of interest, the moment of major crisis, and
demands an immediate solution.

• Denouement- consists of the immediate solution to the climax and adds

information which will give the reader some idea of what happens afterwards
to the main characters. In some stories, this added information is not directly
stated, but is obvious by the turn of events or the final outcome. All details of
the stories are tied up.

• Conflict creates the action of the plot. It is the struggle which the protagonist
must overcome and maybe a physical, psychological, emotional or moral
struggle, one that involves a clash of actions, ideas or wills. The protagonist
may be in conflict with an external antagonist such as nature or society, he may
be in conflict with another person or group of people, or he may find himself
up against some internal struggle with his own character.

Conflict maybe singular or multiple. Some conflicts are easily identified;

others reveal a combination of more subtle, complex struggles, usually
dominated by a major conflict. It is resolved at the moment of crisis or climax.

4. Plot has three happy endings:

• Happy Ending: the protagonist is able to solve his problems: that is, he
overcomes his antagonist.

• Unhappy Endings: The protagonist does not overcome the conflict; however ,
he probably changes in some aspect of his character, often for the better. This
form of ending is more realistic and true to life, as it will raise significant issues
about life that will leave the reader with much to think about. For example,
 most of us aim for goals far beyond our ability to achieve them. A few will
succeed, which is the happy ending; but the majority of us must settle for lesser
achievement.

• Indeterminate ending: can be describe as having no solution to the conflict;

therefore no definite conclusion is reached. However, the story does end
satisfactorily; it does not just stop.

5. Plot makes use of technical devices to create mood:

• Suspense raises the reader’s interest about the next event or the outcome. It is
created by rousing sympathy, anxiety, curiosity, anger, or any of the emotions
that make us want to read on to discover the outcome. Suspense is greatest
when the reader’s curiosity is combined with anxiety. It arises in not knowing
which choice the character will make and what the results will be.

• Coincidence is the occurrence of two chance happenings that will have a

definite correspondence.

• Chance is the occurrence of an event which has no previous cause for its
happening. It is the unexpected , but lies within the realm of life’s possibilities.

• Surprise results when the unexpected happens in a short story. The more
radical the unexpected event, the greater the surprise. Surprise must not be the
result of improbable coincidence or unlikely happenings so that the reader
fells cheated.

• Mystery or dilemma is used to grab the reader’s interest so that he wants to

read on to discover how the story evolves. A dilemma is a situation in which
the protagonist faces the two choices, neither of them desirable.

• Foreshadowing occurs when the author hints at what is to come without giving
away any information that will destroy interest. Foreshadowing builds interest.

• Withholding information builds suspense when clues, explanations and

answers are kept from the reader as long as possible.

C. CHARACTER AND CHARACTERIZATION

Characterization is depicting a person in clear images that reveal his physical

appearance , his actions, his thoughts and attitudes towards his life around him. His
 environment, nature, mannerisms, inner qualities, abilities, talents, habits, emotions,
desires, instincts, all go up to make his character/

Characters are limited to one or two. As the short story is short in length and aims
at a single impression, the number of characters must be limited to one or two. Every
person introduced has a vital connection with the action. Background characters are
rare and undeveloped. If they are included, their roles are essential to the story.

Characterization is limited to one or two essential traits. Characterization, must of

necessity, be very slight and develop only those traits essential to the plot of the story
(except in the STORY of character). Character is sketched in briefly. Usually in the
introductory passages. Further development is gained through action, dialogue and
incident.

1.Major Types of Characters:

Protagonist: is the main character who must meet and overcome the struggle or
conflict of the story . This term of reference is preferable to “hero” because protagonists
are not always heroic.

Antagonist: Maybe an opposing character or a force – environmental , physical,

emotional, or psychological,--which may or may not overcome by the protagonist.
Conflict is created by the antagonist.

Stock: Stock stereotyped figures in fiction occur so often that we recognize them
immediately: Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, The Western Sheriff.

Minor Characters

• Confidant: is a character sympathetic to the protagonist, who is use to draw

out the central character.

• Foil: is in sharp contrast to the protagonist who is used to help define the
central character.

• Type Character: are typical of a rural life , an occupation, a life style, or an

ethnic group. These characters never change or develop.

Characterization is either dynamic or static:

 • Dynamic Character: a dynamic or developing character undergoes a
permanent change in some aspect of his character, attitudes, personality, or
behavior. He may deteriorate, he may develop strength, as a result of his
struggle, or he may change his philosophy. And habits under the stress of his
social or psychological environment.

• Static Character: remains the same at the end of the story as he was at the
beginning. No Change is undergone.

4. POINT OF VIEW

The point of view of a literary work is the perspective from which

the reader views the action and characters. The three major types of point
of view in a story are omniscient (all-knowing narrator outside the story
itself), first-person (observations of a character who narrates the story),
and third-person-limited (outside narration focusing on one character's
observations).

THEME

is the main idea, or message, of an essay, paragraph, or a book. The message

may be about life, society, or human nature. Themes often explore timeless and
universal ideas and may be implied rather than stated explicitly. Along
with plot, character, setting, and style, theme is considered one of the fundamental
components of fiction. It is the universal statement or feel when you read a piece of
writing.

III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL

SHORT STORY :

How my Brother Leon Brought Home his Wife

by Manuel E. Arguilla English 104. Introduction to Philippine and World Literature

PLOT

Maria stepped down from the carretela of Ca Celin with a quick, delicate grace. She
was lovely. She was tall. She looked up to Noel with a smile, and her forehead was on
level with his mouth. Noel put down the trunks on the grassy side of the road paid Ca
Celin twice the usual fare from the station to the edge of Nagrebcan.

Balso climbed into the cartover the wheel and labang would have bolted. Maria sat up
straight on the bottom of the cart, legs bent together to one side, her skirts spread over. But
in the deep gorge the shadows had fallen heavily, and even the white of Labang’s coat.
Maria laughed then and they laughed together and she took Leon’s hand and put it against
her face.

Then they were climbing out into the fields, and through the spokes of the wheels the
light of the lantern mocked the shadows. Labang quickened his steps. The jolting became
more frequent and painful as they crossed the low dikes. They came to the house of Lacay
Julian and spoke to Labang loudly. But Moning did not come to the window.

Baldo stopped Labang on the road before their house and would have gotten down but
Noel took the rope and told them to stay in the cart. He turned Labang into the open gate
and dashed into the yard. There was a light downstairs in the kitchen, and mother stood in
the doorway.

There were no lights on their father’s room. There was no movement. He sat in the
big armchair by the Western window, and a star shone directly through it. He was
smoking, but he removed the roll of tobacco from his mouth. Baldo’s father asked if Maria
was afraid. But he responses no and only sings the Sky Sown with Stars.

After, Noel and Maria went to his father’s room and had some talks about the
travel.

IV. PROCEDURE

A. Assignment

Motivation: What are your experiences in places that you have been to for the first
time.

B. Lesson Proper

1. Analyzing the story

Setting: The story happened at Nagrebcan, La Union, a town where Leon and his
family lived.

Characters:
 Leon: Also known as Noel and Older brother of Leon who studied in Manila

Baldo- Leon’s younger brother who fetched Leon and Maria from the road
from Nagrebcan

Maria: The beautiful wife of Leon.

Labang: The bull whom Baldo considers as his “pet”

Norman Tabios- Maria’s ex-boyfriend who happened to be a loro

Gagambino- Leon’s favorite fictional character who gave him lots of guts to
study in Manila

Churita: Labang’s girlfriend/fiancée.

THEME: The story is about journeying into meeting new people and a new
environtment.

Point of view: Baldo is the one narrating the story. He has the first person point of
view. As described, the first person point of view is the one who narrates the story and is
also a part of it.

2. Motivation: Read the story and try to discover the different characteristics of each
of the characters. The teacher will ask volunteers to read out loud the lines of the
different characters . The teacher will be the narrator of the story.

3. Discussion Proper:

A) Describe the setting of the story.

B) How did Baldo describe Maria when he saw her for the first time?

C) How did he describe the weather on the day he met Maria?

D) How was Maria treated on her was to Leon’s house?

E) How does Baldo treat Labang in the story?

F) Describe her feeling before meeting Leon’s family.

G) Compare and contrast the characteristics of Baldo and Leon.

H) What difficulties did they encounter on their way to Leon’s house?

 I) What is the significance of the song, “'Sky Sown with Stars” to the
story?

J) Explain the significant lines in the story.

4. Other enrichment activities

1. Describe the life in the barrio and the life in the city. How different is it from
now?

2. Show pictures of the barrio life and the city life.

3. Have the class describe the way to the barrio compared to the way to the city .

4. Divide the class into four groups. State some of the lines from the story and
have them guess who said each line.