Plot and structure

In this part of the study guide, we will highlight the main elements of the plot in “Family Tree” and we will discuss the overall structure of the text.

By plot and structure, we understand the way a story is organized. Plot is a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story, and how these events relate to each other in a pattern. In literary works, there are at least a dozen types of plot. Consequently, not all plots develop along the five classical elements, which are the exposition, the rising action, the climax, the falling action and the resolution.

Notice how the action of the short story only spans from one evening until the next morning. In fact, the text is not as much structured around complicated action, but it is ...