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I. Talking About Stories. Theoretical Preliminaries.



 

When discussing stories or extracts there are certain aspects which you are supposed to regard. It is useful to know and to be able to use them. They will make it easier for you to talk about stories.

 

1. If you deal with an extract begin your discussion with saying a few words about its origin, naming the writer and the title of the story or the novel it is taken from.

 

2. The impact of a literary work depends on all its elements. Among them plot plays an important role. Plot refers to the sequence of events or actions in a story. Most stories and novels have plots. But there are some which have no plots (e.g. stories and poems describing nature, the so-called “novels of ideas” and stories presenting the stream of consciousness).

The components of the plot structure are

- the exposition (where the author introduces the theme, the characters and establishes the setting)

- complications (actions, thoughts, feelings)

- the climax (the key event, the crucial moment of the story)

- the denoement or resolution (where the fate of the main characters is clarified and some conclusions are suggested)

It should also be noted that the intensity of the impression depends on the order in which the writer presents the information included into the story (the so called “presentational sequencing”). There are several devices of presentational sequencing

- retardation (the withholding of information until the appropriate time, it heightens suspense)

- flashbacks (scenes of the past inserted into the narrative)

- foreshadowing (a look towards the future, a remark or hint that prepares the reader for what is to follow)

 

3. At the heart of the plot is conflict – the opposition of the characters or groups of characters to each other or to something. The story may be based on several conflicts:

external –

a) man against man

b) man against nature

c) man against society, social order!

d) conflict with poverty inequality

internal – “man against himself”

 

4. The plot with its characters, actions and settings forms the so-called ‘surface content’ of a literary work, which is represented in concrete individuals, situations and actions. It may entertain and keep the reader curious. Some read only to learn what happens next. But a skilled reader discovers what lies beyond the surface content, he looks for the theme.

The theme of the story is the main area of interest treated in the story. There are stories on the theme of love, or love for one’s Motherland, family relations, anti-war theme, human relations in society, the power of beauty and art to stir emotions, etc.

5. The theme of the story implies the problem which the writer raises. His view and attitude to the problem is revealed in the way he develops the theme of the story. The most important idea that the author expresses in the process of developing the theme is the message of the story. The theme is therefore organically connected with the author’s message. The message can be expressed indirectly. We way reveal the message of a literary work trough the analysis of the implications. Implication may be conveyed by contrast, parallelism, repetition, symbols, arrangements of plot structure.

 

6. In fiction the representation of the reality is always a subjective reflection, which is affected by the author’s view of the world, his outlook, his personal attitude to it. That is why in fiction the representation of reality can never be entirely neutral. In every literary work the writer’s feelings and emotions are reflected in the tone, attitude and atmosphere (mood).

Atmosphere is ageneral mood of a literary work. Mood is the dominant impression the story makes on you. It can be gloomy, sad, optimistic, pathetic, melancholy, lively, cheerful and so on. Mood may be revealed through the choice of words, figures of speech, dialogues, monologues, short or long sentences and even phonetic devices, such as alliteration or others.

The author’s attitude is his view of the characters and actions. It reflects his judgement of them. The reader is expected to share the author’s attitude.

The attitude of a writer to his subject matter determines the tone of the story. The tone is the light in which the characters and events are depicted. Tone helps us to understand if the writer takes the subject matter seriously, comically, bitterly, humorously, ironically, etc. Tone also expresses the relationship between the author (the narrator) and the reader. Thus, the tone may be casual, familiar, impolite, defiant, offensive, sarcastic, ironical, sneering or bitter.

 

6. Tone in oral speech is primarily conveyed by modulations of the voice pitch, whereas in written speech the tone is mainly conveyed by emotionally coloured words.

The English language has its own system of expressive means – words and phrases which help to add vividness to the description and with the help of it to touch the reader’s imagination. These words and phrases are used figuratively (metaphorically).

 

7. Style of language

a) When a writer resorts to the language of everyday life, neither rich nor refined, and which is especially typical of dialogues, we call this style colloquial (informal).

b) When a writer resorts to the language which is not widely used in everyday life and is not typical of spoken English because it is “too correct” we call this style bookish (or formal, official).

c) When there are many scientific words terms in a story we speak about scientific style.

d) When there are words typical of this or that profession we speak about professional words in a story.

We can also name newspaper, publicistic and religious styles. Though there are quite often no strict borders between styles. (e.g. science-fiction style).

 

 
 


II. The Plan for Rendering the Story

Helpful Language Reference

 

To make you talk on stories more colourful you may benefit from the following words and phrases:

1. The story under discussion deals with …

2. The settingof the story dates back to (the time) …

3. The events described in the story throw light upon …

4. The author resorts to...

5. The author attaches special significance to detai1s (epithets, monologue, description and so on)

6. The author has а sharp eye for detai1s.

7. The choice of words is very elaborate.

8. It helps us to get а vivid notion of....

9. The author makes ample use of the dialogue....

10. to depict, to portray.

11. to reveal, to display through....

12. surprise ending

13. happy end

 

 

1. The story under discussion...   а) is taken from the novel «Маrtin Eden» by Jack London. b) is an ancient legend retold by an unknown writer.
2. The author of the text; where & when the text was published The author of the text is … The text is written by … It is (was) published in … It is (was) printed in …
3. The title or the text (story) is the first element to catch our eye. – reveals to the whole story and acquires its precise meaning – it acquirs an ironical shade… The text is head - lined … The head - line of the text I have read …
4. The plot of the legend is based on...   а) relations between sons and fathers b) the life of а talented actress in Paris с) some mysterious events which took place in the town of Кyoto.
5. The contents of the text. Some facts, names, figures. (The plot structure) 1) a) The author starts by telling the readers (about, that) b) The author writes (states, stresses, thinks, points out) that … The text describes … c) According to the text …
Further the author reports (says) that …

The text goes on to say that …

The author comes to the conclusion that …

2. a) The text begins

with the descriptions of …

with a summary of …

by mentioning …

b) The text opens with:

after that (then, next) the author passes on to the …, goes on to say … gives a

detailed analysis (description) of …

The author concludes with …

The author ends with …

To finish with the author describes …

The author:

describes emphasizes

depicts stresses

dwells on underlines

touches upon criticizes

explains exposes

introduces us occuses

mentions blames

condemns

characterizes writes

analyses thinks

enumerates says

comments states …

6. There are two forces in the story that come into collision: (conflict) а) the peasants and the landowners b) the soul of the mirror and the owner of the strange house. с) people and nature
7. The theme of the legend can be formulated as…   a) an eternal longing of people for freedom b) the writers warning against the pollution of Nature с) а reminder to people that neglecting ancient traditions and prejudices leads, sometimes, to tragic events and disharmony in people lives.
9. The main idea (message) of the text The main idea of the text is … The text is about … The text is devoted to … The text deals with … The text touches upon … The purpose of the text is to give the reader some information on … The aim of the text is to provide the reader some material (data) on …

10. The author’s attitude to the events in the story is…       а) humorous and it is revealed through the dialogues which are full of humour and laughter b) ironical, for he doesn't believe in any prejudices с) is quite serious, he evidently sympathizes with the sufferings of the mirror and the final words ofthe story prove it.
11. The atmosphere (mood) of the story is...   а) light and lively b) sad and pessimistic с) mysterious and sometimes tragic­
12. The atmosphere of mystery is created through the choice of words, such as:   a) kind, joyful, happily, gladness b) strange belief, commit suicide; fall а victim, witch, death, vanish
13. The legend is written in...   а) The language of illiterate people b) а colloquial style с) a bookish style d) а scientific style:
14. You opinion of the text. I found the text interesting (important, dull, of no value, too hard to understand …)

 


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