Paper #2—Character & Conflict
Paper #2—Character & Conflict
Read Chapters 2 and 3 in Analyzing Short Stories.
For paper #2, write a summary and central idea paragraph as you did for the first paper. Then add a discussion of character and conflict, choosing between the following stories:
“Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin or “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck. The paper should be approximately 400 words long. This paper can go over the suggested limit as long as the additional words are not in paragraph one, which is always no more than 150 words.
Character
In two or more paragraphs, please do the following for character:
1. Describe the main character, around whom the story revolves, by choosing the characteristics which illustrate or support the central idea. Choose examples of what the character says, does, thinks, or what others say or think about the character. Consider also biographical information (including age, physical description and occupation) and details such as what the character owns, how s/he dresses, what s/he drives etc.
2. Describe key supporting characters and discuss those characters’ function in
the story. For example, is a supporting character used as a foil (contrast) to the main character, an antagonist to the main character, or a symbol?
OPTIONAL TERMS:
Static character—one who remains the same in values or world view
Dynamic character—one who undergoes a fundamental change
Stereotype—a flat character who is an easily recognized type
Support the traits you identify with short direct quotations. Be certain that all words and phrases quoted from the story are in quotation marks. However, avoid quoting lengthy passages; rather, weave the quoted material throughout your own commentary.
CONFLICT
Now add a paragraph in which you discuss conflict (the struggle between opposing forces which is the connecting thread of a plot). In this paragraph, you should do the following:
a. Identify the main conflict or conflicts which involve the main character(s).
b. Tell if or how the conflict is resolved. If the conflict is resolved, explain how. If it is not, discuss why not. NOTE: There can be more than one conflict in a story, and one conflict can be resolved, while another remains unresolved.
OPTIONAL TERMS:
A. External conflict—a struggle between the character and some force
outside of himself/herself.
1. Man vs. man (character vs. character)—physical and/or mental struggle between characters.
2. Man vs. nature
a. the character can be in conflict with the actual forces of nature (ex. man vs. the sea)
b. The character can be in conflict with his/her social
environment (ex. against home, community, or country).
c. The character can be struggling against fate or destiny.
B. Internal conflict (man vs. himself)—a character’s struggle within
himself as he/she faces some emotional,
psychological or spiritual dilemma.
Remember—a story may have more than one conflict. Also, one type of conflict may lead to another type. One aspect of conflict may be resolved while another part is not.
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