Dramatic structure
Dramatic structure refers to the framework that underpins a narrative, outlining how a story unfolds through its various components. Traditionally, Gustav Freytag's model, known as Freytag's pyramid, categorizes dramatic structure into seven parts, although some modern interpretations condense it to five. The structure begins with exposition, where the setting and characters are introduced, followed by the inciting incident that triggers the main plot. This is followed by rising action, where tension builds as characters face obstacles and conflicts arise. The climax marks the peak of this tension, representing a pivotal moment in the story. Following the climax, the narrative moves into falling action, which addresses the aftermath of the climax and leads to the resolution, where the primary conflict is resolved. Finally, the dénouement concludes the story by tying up remaining plot points and revealing the fates of the characters. However, contemporary narratives may skip the dénouement, opting for endings that leave some questions unanswered, known as cliffhangers. Understanding dramatic structure can enhance one’s appreciation of storytelling across different genres and cultures.
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Dramatic structure
Gustav Freytag (1816–1895) was a successful German playwright and novelist. Throughout his career, Freytag came to believe that all dramatic plots could be divided into seven parts. Collectively, these parts made up a story's dramatic structure. Freytag's dramatic structure is sometimes referred to as Freytag's pyramid.
Some modern interpretations of Freytag's dramatic structure include only five parts. Freytag based his work on the writings of ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle in Poetics, who divided all dramas into just three parts.
The Parts of Dramatic Structure
Dramatic structure begins with exposition. In this plot segment, the writer describes the setting and introduces the main characters. In addition, the writer provides any background information or details the reader will need to understand the rest of the story. In some works, the exposition also establishes the mood.
In Freytag's dramatic structure, the inciting incident follows the exposition. The inciting incident is the event that marks the end of the work's introduction and the beginning of the primary plot arc. The rising action follows the inciting incident. During the rising action, the tension created by the inciting incident builds. The characters run into obstacles that keep them from accomplishing their primary goals and conflicts with any antagonists begin. Some modern interpretations of dramatic structure do not include the inciting incident as a separate part of the dramatic structure. Instead, it is considered part of the rising action.
The climax concludes the rising action. During the climax, all the tension from the rising action erupts as the plot's primary conflict reaches a critical stage. The climax, which is often the most thrilling part of the plot, takes different forms in different genres. For example, in a tragedy, the climax may be the moment where everything finally turns against the protagonist. In an adventure novel, it may be the most action-packed part of the story.
The falling action comes after the climax. It reveals the consequences of the climax and explains how the protagonist deals with these consequences. The falling action also signals to the reader that the story will be ending soon. In Freytag's dramatic structure, the falling action is punctuated by the resolution. The resolution is the moment when the story's primary conflict is finally solved. Some contemporary analyses of dramatic structure do not include resolution. In such interpretations, the end of the plot's primary conflict is part of the dénouement, which concludes the story.
Dénouement is the opposite of exposition. This stage wraps up any remaining plot points and tells the reader what happens to the main characters after the primary conflict has ended. While it is still a part of dramatic structure, some modern works do not include dénouement. Instead, they end on the resolution, and the reader does not find out what happens to the characters once the main conflict is over. This type of ending is sometimes called a cliffhanger.
Bibliography
"Analyzing a Story's Plot: Freytag's Pyramid." Ohio.edu. Ohio University. Web. 26 Dec. 2014. http://www.ohio.edu/people/hartleyg/ref/fiction/freytag.html
Wheeler. L. Kip. "Freytag's Pyramid." English Department, Carson-Newman University. Carson-Newman University. 2014. Web. 30 Dec. 2014. https://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/freytag.html