Short Stories Elements and Devices by Bryce Harrison https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb By Bryce Harrison en-us 2018-03-07 21:08:11 UTC 2026-01-27 12:26:48 UTC hello@padlet.com Theme bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410414 Definition: Theme is the central idea of a story, usually implied rather than directly stated. It is the author's idea about life and can be implied or directly stated through the voice of a character or through the narrator. It should not be confused with moral or plot. A theme is traditionally stated in a sentence without reference to specific characters or events.

Example: The theme in the story "The Landlady" as I interpreted it is to never be too quick to judge or assume the intentions of others.


]]> 2018-03-07 21:09:24 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410414 Figurative Language bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410459 Figurative Language: Language used in such a way as to force words out the literal meanings and, by empathizing their connotations, to bring new insight and feeling to the subject desired.
Simile: A comparison between two things which are essentially dissimilar. The comparison is directly stated through words such as like, as than, similar to, or resembles.
Metaphor: A comparison between two things which are essentially dissimilar. The  comparison is implied rather than directly stated.
Personification: Giving the attributes of a human being to an animal, an object, or an idea. It is really a subtype of metaphor, implying a comparison between two dissimilar things.

Examples:
Simile:  In the story "The Landlady" when Billy Weaver stepped off the train, "the air was deadly cold and the wind was like a flat blade of ice on his cheeks."
Metaphor: In the short story "The Painted Door" an example of a metaphor is "On the palm, white even against it's frozen whiteness, was a little smear of paint."
Personification: In the story "The Painted Door" Ann listens to the wind and finds that it is ""thin-strained and whimpering through the eaves.""
]]> 2018-03-07 21:09:32 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410459 Imagery bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410476 Imagery: The representation through language of sense experience. The image most often suggests a mental picture, but an image may also represent a sound, smell, taste or tactical experience.

Example: In the story "The Landlady": "The room itself, so far as he could see in the half-darkness, was filled with pleasant furniture. There was a baby-grand piano and a big sofa and several plump armchairs; and in one corner he spotted a large parrot in a cage."]]> 2018-03-07 21:09:36 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410476 Motivation bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410491 Motivation: This is what causes a character to do what she does. Circumstances and temperament usually determine the actions of a character, however, characters must also have sufficient and plausible motivation in order for a reader to find a story realistic or effective.

Example: In the short story "The Painted Door": John is motivated by his love and loyalty for his father to go out in the cold of the treacherous blizzard to see if he is well.
]]> 2018-03-07 21:09:39 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410491 Irony bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410504 Irony: Irony is a literary device which reveals conceal or contradictory meanings.
Verbal Irony Definition: This occurs when a contrast is evident between what a character says and what that character actually means. Usually the opposite is stated for emphasis. See also sarcasm, which is not quite the same.
Dramatic Irony: This irony occurs when the author shares with the reader information not known by a character. As a result, the reader becomes aware that a character's actions may be inappropriate for the actually circumstances, that what is to come is the reverse of what a character expects, or that a character has unknowingly made a comment which anticipates the outcome.

Examples:
Dramatic Irony: In the short story "The Painted Door" we are left with a lot of Dramatic Irony when Ann continuously talks to herself and blames John for numerous things when John is not home. John is unaware of how his actions have made Ann feel this way leaving John no chance to correct since he is gone and Ann left with foolish ideas and stress.
Verbal Irony: Short story: "The Painted Door" "Plenty to eat - plenty of wood to keep me warm - what more could a woman ask for?"]]> 2018-03-07 21:09:43 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410504 Setting bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410527 Setting: Setting is most often considered to mean the time and place in which a story is placed; however, equally important aspects are the social environment or values generally shared by the society, the minor characters who forma realistic backdrop with which the main characters must act and react. Finally, setting also includes atmosphere or mood which descriptive details create.

Example: In the short story "The Painted Door" the setting of the story is that there is a couple who live on a farm with few neighbors during a wild and crazy cold winter. The husband, a family man, wishes to visit his father while the wife wishes that he would stay with her resulting in some resentment and disconnection. ]]> 2018-03-07 21:09:47 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410527 Plot bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410541 Plot: The storyline or organization of incidents in a story is called the plot. It consists of episodes and conflict. Plots usually have rising and falling action.

Example: In the story "The Landlady" the plot is as follows.
Introduction: Billy Weaver is on a business trip to Bath and is looking for a place to stay.
Rising action: Instead of going to a recommended hotel Billy decides to stay at a bed and breakfast. He finds that the landlady is a little weird but doesn't question it.
Climax: Mr. Weaver realizes too late that his landlady is not a sweet old lady and that he is in danger.
Falling action: Mr. Weaver is drugged and falls unconcious.
Conclusion: We are left to assume that Mr. Weaver is killed and stuffed like a doll.]]> 2018-03-07 21:09:49 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410541 Point of View bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410556 Point of view: The perspective from which a story is told. There are multiple perspectives from which the story can be told, first person and third person being the main perspectives.First person can be told in multiple different ways: First person narrative, first person detached, first person observer, and first person subjective. Third person can be told in multiple different ways as well: Third person objective, third person omniscient, third person limited omniscient.
Example: The story the "The Happiness Machine" is told from the third person by a narrator.
]]> 2018-03-07 21:09:54 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410556 Allusion bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410578 Allusion: An allusion is a direct or indirect reference to a familiar figure, place, or event from history, literature, mythology, or from the Bible. Most allusions expand or develop a significant idea, impression, or mood.

Example: In the short story "The Painted Door" the double wheel around the moon is an allusion to the severity of the impending snow storm. Which John ignores and goes into the blizzard regardless. ]]> 2018-03-07 21:09:59 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410578 Mood & Atmosphere bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410597 Mood/ Atmosphere: The atmosphere is the prevailing feeling that is created in a story. The atmosphere usually sets up the readers expectation about the ending or outcome of the plot. Atmosphere is usually created through the dialogue and the imagery.

Example:  In the story "The Painted Door" there is a lot of disconnection and resentment felt by Ann while John chooses to visit his father over staying home with her. Ann continues to blame John for things while he is gone and John has no idea that his actions make her feel this way. ]]> 2018-03-07 21:10:04 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410597 Character bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410677 Character: This is a term used to describe the fictional persons who carry out the action of a story. It also refers to the personality and moral attitudes of a fictional person. Characters may be classified as dynamic (developing character), static character, round character, flat character and a stereotyped or stock character.:

Example: In the story "The Landlady" the two main characters are Billy Weaver and the landlady while there is a third secondary character on the train that tells Billy Weaver about the Bell and Dragon, a cheap hotel where he can stay.]]> 2018-03-07 21:10:18 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410677 Symbolism bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410692 Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Example: The guest book in the story "The Landlady" showed that there were only two other entries dated two or three years ago. This should have been a clear indicator that something was off and that this landlady was not who she appeared to be.]]> 2018-03-07 21:10:20 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410692 Flashback bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410723 Flashback: A flashback is a plot device which shifts the story from the present to the past, usually done in order to illustrate an important point or to reveal a change in character

Example: In the story "The Happiness Machine": "The first thing you learn in life is you're a fool. In one hours, I've done a lot of thinking. I thought, Leo Auffmann is blind! You want to see the real Happiness Machine? The one they patented a couple thousand years ago, it still runs, not good all the time, no! but it runs. It's been here all along.
]]> 2018-03-07 21:10:25 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410723 Foreshadowing bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410757 Foreshadowing: This device gives a hint of what is to happen later in the story. It prepares the reader for the climax, the resolution, and for changes, or lack of changes, in character’s attitudes.

Example: In the short story "The Happiness Machine" there is foreshadowing at the very start: "It was the most incredible apparatus ever built. But not even the inventor knew the amazing things it could do."]]> 2018-03-07 21:10:30 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410757 Suspense bryceharrison01 https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410788 Suspense: Suspense is the feeling of anxiety and uncertainty experienced by the reader about the outcome of events or the protagonists destiny

Example: In the story "The Painted Door": It is quite suspenseful when we are waiting for John to return from his fathers home while his wife is sleeping with Steven. We are left to question if John will return or stay with his father? Will he walk in on them? Will he die out in the blizzard?
]]> 2018-03-07 21:10:35 UTC https://padlet.com/bryceharrison01/jtwdr999ovb/wish/239410788