Literary Analysis: Elements, Genres, & Structure

Narrative Perspectives

• Third Person: An omniscient observer, or through another narrator's perspective.
• First Person: A character, supporting character, or observer within the story.
• Second Person: The narrator addresses the reader directly, often making the reader the character.

Literary Elements: Time & Space

Time in Narrative

• Narrative Time: The duration of the story, which can span a lifetime, a year, or a shorter period.
• Time Period: The historical or fictional era in which the story is set.

Space in Narrative

• Objective Space: A real or imagined setting introduced by the narrator using descriptive techniques at the story's outset.
• Subjective Space: The setting as perceived and presented by the characters themselves.
• Narrated Events: The sequence of actions and occurrences within the defined space.

Plot Structure & Narrative Order

Process of Change (Action)

• Traditional Structure: Presentation (Exposition), Middle (Rising Action & Climax), End (Falling Action & Resolution).

Narrative Order

• Linear Order: Events presented chronologically.
• In Media Res: The story begins in the middle of the action.
• Retrospective: Events are recounted from a point in the future, often through flashbacks.

Character Development & Roles

Characterization Techniques

• Characterization involves creating physical descriptions and portraying the moral qualities of characters.

Types of Moral Characterization

• Direct Characterization: The narrator explicitly states a character's traits.
• Indirect Characterization: Traits are revealed through a character's actions, dialogue, thoughts, or appearance.
• Valuation: The narrator or other characters offer judgments or opinions about a character.

Types of Characters by Complexity

• Round Characters: Complex and multifaceted, often undergoing development.
• Intermediate Characters: Possess some complexity but are less developed than round characters.
• Flat Characters: Simple, one-dimensional, and typically do not change.

Character Roles in Action

• Main Characters:
  • Protagonist: The central character.
  • Antagonist: The character who opposes the protagonist.
• Secondary Characters:
  • Allies/Helpers: Support the main characters.
  • Opponents: Create obstacles for the main characters.

Character Development

• Static Characters: Remain unchanged throughout the story.
• Dynamic Characters: Undergo significant internal change or development.

Literary Theme (Message)

• The underlying background or deep meaning conveyed by a literary work.

Dramatic Genres

Major Dramatic Genres (Prose & Verse)

• Comedy: A representation where the portrayal of manners or social satire dominates, often with a humorous or lighthearted tone and a positive resolution.
• Drama: Represents the passions of characters and their confrontations, often exploring serious themes without necessarily a tragic outcome.
• Tragedy: Represents major conflicts between characters with great passion, typically leading to a tragic or disastrous outcome.

Minor Dramatic Genres (Prose & Verse)

• Opera: A dramatic work, typically set to music, composed for singing and instrumental accompaniment.
• Zarzuela: A Spanish lyrical-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken scenes, singing, and instrumental music.
• Sainete: A short, one-act play, often popular and humorous, depicting everyday life.
• Auto Sacramental: An allegorical one-act play dealing with matters of Catholic dogma, often performed during Corpus Christi.
• Entremés: A short, comic interlude or play, often performed between acts of a longer play.
• Paso: A very short, traditional Spanish play characterized by its comical nature and colloquial language.

Structure of Dramatic Texts

I. Main Text Components

• Physical Division: Acts, scenes, and pictures (tableaux).
• Forms of Expression:
  • Dialogue: Conversation between characters.
  • Monologue: A long speech by one character, often revealing thoughts or feelings.
  • Aside: A remark or passage by a character in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by the other characters in the play.
• Plot Progression:
  • Exposition: Introduction of setting, characters, and basic situation.
  • Knot (Complication/Rising Action): Development of conflict and tension.
  • Outcome (Resolution/Denouement): The conclusion where conflicts are resolved.
• Character Elements: (Refer to the "Character Development & Roles" section for detailed types and roles.)

II. Secondary Text Components (Stage Directions & Production Notes)

• Title: The name of the play.
• List of Characters: A roster of all characters appearing in the play.
• Stage Directions: Instructions for action, setting, lighting, sound, and character expressions/movements.

Lyrical Genres

• Epigram: A short, often witty, composition or inscription.
• Satire: A literary work that mocks human or social behavior, often with the aim of critique or reform.
• Ode: A lyrical poem that expresses a poet's feelings, often in a tone of exaltation or praise.
• Eclogue: A bucolic or pastoral poem that idealizes nature and rustic life, often focusing on love or rural themes.
• Elegy: A mournful, melancholic, or plaintive poem, especially a lament for the dead or a serious reflection on a painful event.