Fiction
Fiction is a creative literary form that originates from the writer's imagination, portraying characters and events that are not factual. It encompasses various genres, including realistic fiction, which mirrors real life through plausible characters, settings, and plots, and non-realistic fiction, encompassing genres like science fiction, fantasy, and horror. These latter genres often explore extraordinary scenarios, defying the laws of nature and introducing imaginative worlds. Central to fiction are key elements such as characters, plot, setting, and theme, which work together to engage readers. Conflict is another crucial aspect, driving the narrative through various forms, such as man vs. man or man vs. nature, thereby creating tension and interest. Fiction can be categorized as either literary or commercial, with literary fiction focusing on character development and thematic depth, while commercial fiction prioritizes plot and broad appeal. This rich and diverse genre invites readers to explore different perspectives and experiences, often reflecting cultural and societal themes.
Subject Terms
Fiction
Fiction is a form of literature that originates in the imagination of the writer, so the characters and events depicted are not true. Fiction may be realistic or non-realistic and has many genres, including mysteries, comedies, and science fiction. Fiction can also take many forms, such as novels, novellas, and short stories. All fiction incorporates basic elements, including characters, plot, and conflict. Furthermore, fiction may be categorized as literary or commercial.
Overview
All fiction uses characters and action imagined by the author. However, some types of fiction are more true to life than others. Realistic fiction incorporates aspects of the story that are feasible. Realistic fiction is a broad category of fiction and encompasses many genres, including mysteries, romances, thrillers, comedies, adventures, and historical fiction. With these genres, readers can accept and sometimes relate to the characters as real people. The same is true of the plot: it engages in a storyline that readers find plausible. The settings are usually realistic as well.
Popular genres of non-realistic fiction include science fiction, fantasy, and horror. While these types of fiction need to seem plausible to the reader, they also stretch the boundaries of believability. Science fiction and fantasy stories often involve worlds that do not exist, often contradict the laws of nature, and may be set in the future. These stories allow for the existence of nonhuman characters and humans with extraordinary abilities, futuristic technology, and settings in imaginary locations and times. Horror stories may incorporate some or all of these elements, but they also elicit fear, dread, and dismay in the reader.
Elements of Fiction
Authors use a variety of elements in creating a story. Characters, setting, plot, and theme are all important elements that combine to make a story work. Authors choose the characters and setting according to the audience they wish to reach, the point they want to make, and the plot they have chosen to use. The plot must include a narrative arc, an unfolding story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. A theme is an overarching message that the author wishes to convey. Themes are generally indirect and not explicit to the reader. Common themes include good vs. evil, loss of innocence, and man against nature. Although all elements may not be present in every fictional piece, several must be present if the story is to engage the reader and provide a satisfactory experience.
A major part of the plot is getting to the resolution at the end of the story. This occurs through the narrative arc. It begins with the situation before the action starts, adds one or more events that initiate the action, puts obstacles in the way of the characters, and gives the characters choices that affect the story’s outcome. The climax, or high point, of the story and the conclusion are also part of the narrative arc.
Conflict
One key element in the story arc is conflict. Without conflict, the narrative might seem dull to readers and no resolution would be necessary at the end of the story. To add interest, conflict must get in the way of the characters.
In fiction, five general types of conflict exist. These are commonly referred to as follows: man vs. man, man vs. self, man vs. nature, man vs. society, and man vs. technology/fantasy.
Man vs. man conflict occurs between two characters, usually the protagonist and antagonist of the story. The protagonist is the central character in the story. The reader can usually identify with the protagonist. The antagonist is the character who opposes the protagonist. The struggle between the protagonist and antagonist provides the conflict in the story and drives the plot. An example of this conflict is Harry Potter’s drawn-out struggle with his enemy, Lord Voldemort, in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels.
In man vs. himself conflicts, a character is tortured by internal upset. Oftentimes, authors have characters act in ways that are counter to their core values, which creates serious internal problems for the characters. For example, in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, both the young prince and Uncle Claudius are internally torn by decisions they have made.
In man vs. nature conflicts, the protagonist struggles to survive in nature. Nature includes anything that is incapable of human thought, such as an animal, a climate, or a part of the setting. For example, in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, the protagonist struggles against a white whale.
Man vs. society conflict involves a character who opposes laws, the government, or cultural conventions. The character is usually set up as a rebel who is fighting the leadership for the common good. An example of this conflict is Huck Finn’s run from the law in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
Lastly, in man vs. technology/fantasy conflicts, the protagonist must defeat technological or paranormal forces, such as a computer, aliens, or ghosts. The fantasy aspect often includes supernatural elements, such as the use of magic. Science fiction novels, including Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, often employ this type of conflict.
Literary and Commercial Fiction
Differences also exist between literary fiction and commercial fiction. Literary fiction generally focuses more on character development than on plot. Some literary novels explore a character’s growth or internal conflict and do not necessarily provide a clear resolution. Literary works often deal with controversial topics and may involve history or social issues. Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner and Alice Walker’s The Color Purple are examples of literary fiction.
Commercial fiction, also called popular fiction, genre fiction, or mainstream fiction, generally focuses more on plot than on character development. The story’s premise often hooks the reader from the very beginning. Some commercial fiction writers create series of novels with the same protagonist. Examples of commercial fiction works include Stephen King’s The Shining and James Patterson’s Alex Cross series.
Bibliography
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