portfolio - 2012-2013 güz

8/11/2019 Portfolio - 2012-2013 Güz

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PORTFOLIO

İDE 105

Ins. Reyyan BAL

Fatih Aşan

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“THE GIFT OF THE MAGI”

by O. Henry

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Short Story Analysis Sheet

TitleThe title is “The Gift of the Magi.” It makes the reader gues that the story is about Christmas and

gifts. The weiter chose this title probably as a reference to the Biblical story.

Point of viewPoint of view is third-person selective. The writer had to use this point of view so he could create an

ironical situation and a twist at the end of the story. Also, if it was first-person, it would be sloppy

sentimental and not be ironical.

ToneThe tone is informal, intimate and ironic. Narrator is intrusive, humorous and witty.

StyleThe writer breaks the rules of grammar now and then (using short sentences, beginning to

sentences with conjunctions, using sentences that are not-actually-sentences) in order to sound

warmer and more sincere. It’s more like oral story-telling. Compared to his sentences’ structures,

vocabulary in t he story is sophisticated. He uses some figures of speech, e.g. metaphors(Della’s hairis like a brown cascade) and allusions/references to historical (to King Solomon and Queen of

Sheba) and Biblical (to Magi) references. The story has a twist-in-the-tail.

EffectThe writer aims to rouse feelings of love and sincerity. He also wants people to be surprised and

think about giving gifts. Other than that, his message is about love and sacrifice.

Plot structure

It begins in medias res. It has an open-ended plot structure, though arguments can be madefor other types of plot structures.

Exposition: Describing of their relationship, their economic situation( their poverty),

Della’s love for Jim.

Inciting incident: Della decides to sell her hair.

Rising action: Della selling her hair, then her buying a chain for James’ watch, coming

home and waiting for James, arrival of James and his strange behaviour.

Climax: Jim’s response or revealing of the gifts (anti-climax) for linear plot structure.

Della receiving the combs for triangular plot structure.

Jim’s explanation for open-ended plot structure.

Falling action: Jim’s explanation for triangular plot structure.Crises: None.

Resolution: Jim’s talk about dinner for triangular plot structure.

CharacterisationCharacterisation in this story is indirect. The writer shows the actions and reactions of characters to

reader so as to depict their traits.

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CharactersDella: She is the major character of the story. She is sentimental and generous. She is also a loving

and devoted wife, with a bright, ardent and playful spirit. Her most remarkable physical feature is

her long, wavy hair. She is the protagonist of the story and a static character.

James Dillingham: He is the minor character of the story. He appears to be as devoted and loving as

her wife. He is a little more serious than Della. He is a hardworking man, he works long hours withlow salary. He is described as a thin man with poor clothing at the age of twenty-two. He is also a

static character.

Poverty: Poverty is the antagonistic force.

SettingThe time (Christmas Eve) is greatly emphasized because of it’s relation to the title and themes. The

place is not localised. Only important thing about the place is that it shows poverty. The “gray” also

tells sadness and poverty.

ThemesThe wisdom of giving, sacrifice for love, generosity, the meaning of Christmas and gift-giving, love

vs. poverty, desire vs. means, aim vs. result.

SymbolsKing Solomon and Queen of Sheba are symbols for wealthiness.

Characters’ most valued possessions, watch and hair are symbols of their love.

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“MRS. BIXBY AND THE COLONEL’S COAT”

by Roald Dahl

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TitleTitle is “Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat”. It shows the origin of the problem in the story and the

symbolical meaning of the coat is revealed later in the story.

Point of viewThird person selective. It was needed to be able to create the aimed effect and to conceal the fact of

Mr. Bixby’s adultery. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be a twist -in-the-tail.

ToneTone is objective, detached and has a matter-of-fact style. The particulars are given in an order as to

not give out the surprise too early.

StyleThe vocabulary and use of grammar is easily understandable, narration is clear. The story has a light

style which is easy to read. The writer does not hesitate to lengthen the story. There are some

figures of speech but not too much. Dialogs are heavily used in narration.

EffectThe writer aims to shock the reader with a twist-in-the-tail.

Plot structure

It is a triangular plot structure.

Exposition: Telling about the age and

Inciting incident: Mrs. Bixby getting the coat.

Rising action: Mrs. Bixby leaving the coat at the shop, then her trying to trick her

husband, Mr. Bixby going to the shop and getting the coat, phone call between Mr and

Mrs. Bixby

Climax: Mrs. Bixby getting the neckpiece.

Falling action: Mrs. Bixby sees the coat on his husband’s secretary.

Crises: None.

Resolution: Mrs. Bixby realizes her husband was cheating on her, too.

CharacterisationCharacterisation is indirect.

CharactersAlthough Mrs. Bixby can be considered protagonist, I don’t think so. My thought is that both Mr. andMrs. Bixby are antagonists of the story.

SettingNew York and Baltimore. The time is not specified. Setting doesn’t bear much of an importance, it

only.

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ThemesAdultery, irony, greed, deception, unsatisfaction from life of the people of the story’s timeframe.

SymbolsFur coat is the symbol of greed.

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“THE LUMBER ROOM”

by Saki

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TitleTitle is “The Lumber Room”. It is chosen because it has a symbolic meaning for the protagonist and

also for human nature. It is also an important place, center to the story, where climax takes place.Title makes reader expect the story will revolve around this “lumber room”.

Point of viewThird person limited.

. This allows the reader to perceive the situation and the characters in an

objective, unbiased way. Also, it is impersonal and this feature of it fits to the atmosphere of the

house.

ToneIt is satirical and ironical. Narration is witty and criticisms are done in a humorous and subtle way.

StyleVocabulary and the usage of stylistic devices change according to the characters: the words childs

and aunt use are different, for example. A lot of figures of speech are used, too. They include

metaphors, epithets, similes and some others. The writer also makes use of rhetorical questions.

EffectThe writer wants to make his readers see how adults may behave hypocritecally and stupidly while

the children are fun and imaginative. He wants the readers to join in to the adventure of Nicholas, in

the end feeling both intrigued and loving for children.

Plot structure


Exposition: Introduction of characters and the arrangement of a picnic.

Inciting incident: Nicholas tricking her aunt about what he is up to.

Rising action: Nicholas breaking into the lumber room and his imaginations.

Climax: Nicholas’ accusation to her aunt of being the Evil One.

Falling action: The aunt is taken out and furious.

Crises: None.

Resolution: Nicholas thinking about the picture of the hunter.

CharacterisationIt is indirect, the writer shows the character’s attributes by showing them to the reader.

CharactersNicholas: He is the protagonist of the story and a major character. He has a rebellious attitude, is

clever, playful and very imaginative. He is a static character and he represents a typical kid.

Aunt: She is the antagonist of the story and a minor character. She is a self-righteous and moralistic

person who think herself as wiser. She is cold, lacking in love and more concerned with punishing

the children. She is unable to understand and communicate with children. She is a mother, too. She

is a static character. She represents all the adults.

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Others: All the other characters are minor and static.

SettingTime is not specified but the place is described. All events take place in a house and it’s garden. Most

important part for the story is lumber room and it is crucial to the story. Because the lumber room

represents the paradise in the eyes of Nicholas and also shows how people change when they grow

up and lose imagination, forget a lot of beautiful things.

ThemesStupidity and hypocrisy of adults, adults’ boring worlds, imagination of children, children-parent

and children-adult relations and problems associated with it.

SymbolsThe lumber room symbolizes the “paradise”, fun and imagination for the kids. It also conveys that

the adults are boring and forgot a lot of beautiful things’ meanings as they grow up.

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“THE LOTTERY”

by Shirley Jackson

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TitleThe title is “The Lottery”. It shapes our expectations as to how will the plot develop and end and it

also helps to create irony. It is deceptive in order to create shock.

Point of viewThird person omniscient. It is chosen to maintain suspense, make readers to think themselves

critically and to make sure of an objective narration.

ToneNarrator is very objective and makes no comment. Everything is given in a matter-of-fact tone.

StyleIt is clearly to the point. Text is gramatically correct in every way and do not interfere with reading.

Vocabulary is simple and no words are used other than the ones needed.

EffectShe is aiming for shock and also to show that humans are violent beings and the normalization of

violence in last century. She also aims to show the illogical aspects of tradition and how it builds up.

Plot structure

The story begins in medias res. Plot structure is open-ended.

Exposition: Only the first paragraph (which describes the preparations and the people

etc.)

Inciting incident: It is before the story starts because the inciting incident is the tradition

taking its shape which leads to the events in the story.

Rising action: Children gathering stones, explanations about the tradition, drawing of

papers, Tessie drawing the spotted paper.

Climax: Stoning of Tessie Hutchinson.

Falling action: None.

Crises: None.

Resolution: None.

CharacterisationThere isn’t almost any characterisation, maybe except a little bit about few of the characters, and

those are indirect.

CharactersThere aren’t any major characters. Everyone is both protagonist and antagonist. Reader is not able

to know whether the characters are developing or static. Tradition can be considered the real

antagonist.

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SettingIt isn’t very localised. It’s a rural place, a village and harvest time (June). Setting is very important,

because it’s deceptive in order to create the shock. Readers expect something positive but

everything turns out to be different in the edn.

ThemesViolence of human society, outdated and violent traditions, blind adherence to the traditions,

normalization of violence.

SymbolsBig black box symbolizes tradition. Lottery is also a symbol, maybe resembling the chance factor in

life and especially against the tradition and society. Lottery beginning with the name of Adam, more

specifically the name of Adam is another symbol. It’s the first human’s name and the lottery startingwith the name Adam may be considered symbolizing lottery’s oldness and it being a tradition.

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“THE PIECE OF STRING”

by Guy de Maupassant

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TitleThe title is “The Piece of String”. The mentioned string is the origin of all the problems and the death

at the end of the story and this title is chosen because of that.

Point of viewThird person omniscient. Narrator tells what everyone is doing and their thoughts. It is chosen for

the purpose of giving information about the society (this is associated with social realism) and to

make readers know that the protagonist is innocent. (If it was first-person reader could not have

been sure.

ToneIt’s quite objective. There is no verbal irony, it’s serious and realistic.

StyleIt’s a translation, therefore no analysis.

EffectThe writer aims to depict the living conditions in a village in Normandy and also to make the

readers see how things work different in small places than the written laws. This is a social realistic

approach.

Plot structure


Exposition: A clear, long exposition which describes the people, town and the market

Inciting incident: Maitre Hauchecorne picking up the stringRising action: Announcement, going to mayor

Climax: When he is accused

Falling action: Letting go of Maitre Hauchecorne, him returning to his house

Crises: Wallet is returned, Hauchecorne is still accused

Resolution: Hauchecorne’s death

CharacterisationCharacterisation is indirect. It is a natural outcome of the writer being a social realist.

CharactersMaitre Hauchecorne: He is the protagonist and a major character. He is a static character. Hispyschology and health deteriorates as he becomes paranoid with the thought that everyone is

accusing him while’s he is innocent.

Maitre Malandain: He is the antagonist and a minor character. He is the enemy of Maitre

Hauchecorne and is a harness maker. He is a static character.

Other characters: They are minor and static.

Society: Society also can be considered the antagonist instead of or with Maitre Melande.

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SettingThe story takes place in the small village of Goderville, in French countryside, in Normandy. Time is

not specified it can be assumed to be 19th century. Setting is very important because Maupassant is

a social realist and in social realism, it is accepted that the social environment affects how people

behave. The social environment would change according to time and place, therefore setting is of

great importance in this story.

ThemesPressure of society, accusation of an innocent person, obsession of being accused with what others

think, gossip, poverty and how it effects people and society.

SymbolsThe string as a symbol of poverty and that a trivial event can affect someone a lot.

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“THE LOTTERY TICKET”

by Anton Chekhov

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Title“The Lottery Ticket” is the title and it gives a hint about the subject of the story, also it becomes the

symbol for hope and disappointment in the story.

Point of viewThird-person limited but sometimes omniscient. It’s to better present/show the thought process of

a human as it is in the face of a specific situation.

ToneIt is objective and detached. The writer does not make any comments.

StyleIt is a translation, so the style won’t be analyzed.

EffectShowing human nature or life as it is. Also to show that when people have enough are they are

satisfied but when they have hope of getting more, they find what they have insufficient.

Plot structure

It can be seen in different ways. There arguments there for every type of plot structure. I

think it’s open-ended but not in it’s classical sense. Though, it may be seen as linear

externally. All these are because of the story’s special feature which is being not an event

plot but a Chekhovian one.

Exposition: The first sentence.

Inciting incident: When Ivan looks at the number.

Rising action: Ivan and Masha starting dreaming and planning and then them finding out

they did not win

Climax: Ivan and Masha they began to hate each other and feel not satisfacted by their

lives.

Falling action: None

Crises: None

Resolution: None

Characterisation

Indirect characterisation.

CharactersIvan: He is the major character and he is protagonist. He is a developing character. He is the

husband of Masha and he is from middle-class. He is an ordinary type that can be seen everyday. He

does not care about games of luck till the events in the story.

Masha: A minor character. She is developing in parallel to Ivan. She becomes antagonist later on, but

she is not antagonist at the beginning. She is the wife of Ivan and she is from middle-class too. She is

an ordinary type that can be seen everyday.

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SettingThere isn’t any emphasis on setting. It’s a setting of the mind.

ThemesGreed (when people have enough are they are satisfied but when they have hope of getting more,

they find what they have insufficient.)

SymbolsTicket symbolizes hope, desire, greed and dissappointment.

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“EVELINE”

by James Joyce

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TitleIt’s “Eveline”, the name of the antagonist who is the focus of the story.

Point of viewThird person limited/selective. It is so in order to show the situation which Eveline is in, though the

story includes some internal monologues, too.

ToneDark, gloomy, pessimistic, there is no humor and it’s serious, not witty. Narrator speaks in some

parts directly.

StyleIt has a poetic style. Writer uses a lot of figures of speech. For example: the expression, “Evening

invading the avenue” is very artistic and also gives the impression of not being at will but forced.

Other than that, he uses alliteration a lot of times. Narration is very descriptive. There is also

epiphany.

EffectHe aims to create the feeling of being trapped in a dilemna: staying is bad but going is bad, too. Also,

he shows the monotony of life for Irish middle class.

Plot structure

It doesn’t have a traditional plot structure. There aren’t any inciting incidents or events,

maybe only some rising action. It ca be considered a linear plot structure, because of it’s

anti-climax.

Exposition: Almost all of the story is comprised of exposition.

Inciting incident: None. Look above.

Rising action: Look above. Maybe Eveline meeting and falling in love with Frank, then his

proposal to get together and go away. Lastly, Eveline going to the docks.

Anti-Climax: Eveline not leaving.


Crises: None.

Resolution: None.

CharacterisationIt is all indirect and through Eveline’s mind.

CharactersEveline: Protagonist and major character. She looks after her family. She has a problematic

relationship with her father and in love with She is static, but there’s a mental development.

Because of that the major conflict is internal, Eveline can also be considered antagonist, too.

Frank: He is a minor character, a sailor who loves Eveline and proposes her to leave together for

Buenos Aires. He is static.

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Eveline’s dad: Never actually seen in the story. An alchoholic man and not a good father. He can be

considered antagonist.

Dublin: The city can be considered antagonist.

SettingThe story takes place in about the end of 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Place is Dublin.

There are only hints about setting but it plays a huge role. It reflects the real-life experiences of

Joyce actually.

ThemesOne’s inability to escape his/her surroundings/family, preferring to be trapped, how one’slife(setting) shapes himself/herself.

SymbolsLetters show her dilemna. Peope are archetypes, therefore symbols. Shiny new buildings symbolize

change.

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“THE FLY”

by Katherine Mansfield

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Title“The Fly” is the title. It is chosen because of it’s symbolical meaning in the story.

Point of viewThird person selective, but it is changing it’s center (central character) throughout the story. It is

necessary to highlight the contrast between a normal person’s response and the boss’ response to

the events. For example, if it was first person, we may have interpreted the events differently.

TonePessimistic. Narration doesn’t seem to reveal or say much at first sight, a lot of things are given with

subtlety.

StyleVocabulary and syntax is simple. The narrator directly tells the feeling from time to time. Dialogs are

used. There are a lot of words used for describing the feelings and thoughts of the boss.

EffectThe writer aims to shows the cruelty and malice of war and also to give a message: “do not give up!”

Plot structure

This is not an event story, so this part will be skipped. Look at the analysis of Chekhov’s

“The Lottery Ticket” for an example of this kind of stories.

Exposition:

Inciting incident:

Rising action:

Climax:

Falling action:

Crises:

Resolution:

CharacterisationThere are both direct and indirect characterisation. The readers are from time to time told what the

characters feel and think according to their personalities. Therefore there is direct information

about their personalities, too.

CharactersBoss: He is the protagonist. He is the major character of the story. He is a middle-aged businessman.

He has no name and thiss makes him a representative. He’s like the “war” itself. It can also be arguedhe represents the government with its policies in the World War I. Him being proud of his lifestyle

and his furniture shows his highly materialistic personality. He’s not over the death of his son andhe’s dead inside, so he is not able to cry. He is a static character.

Mr. Woodifield: He is a friend of the boss. He seems to be over his loss and like he accepted it. He is a

minor and static character.

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Fly: Look below to the symbols section. It can be considered a major and static character.

War: War is the antagonist. The said war can be specified by “World War I” but all wars canconstitute this character actually.

SettingIn terms of conflict it is important but given with subtlety. It’s not detailed. It’s just to emphasize the

conflicts.

ThemesWar, human life and war, grief, how humans deal with the loss of their loved ones, Effects of the

wars on humans(specifically of the World War I), war vs. peace.

SymbolsThe fly is the sacrificial lamb, it respresents the soldiers who are sent out of trenches because of

biological gas in World War I. If it is so, the boss represents the governments and politicians. The fly

may also represent the boss and the boss forces himself to struggle, to go on and dies in the end. Or

maybe the fly symbolizes life and with it, the boss dies inside.

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“A LITTLE FABLE”

by Franz Kafka

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TitleTitle is “A Little Fable” and it points to the fact that this is a fable.

Point of viewIt is third person selective, we can follow only what the mouse lives. It is important in order to

readers being able to identify themselves with the mouse easier.

ToneObjective, detached. The meaning is very subtle.

StyleThe story is a translation and style won’t be analyzed.

EffectThe writer tells that all struggle is futile against death. Death can not be avoided.

Plot structure

This is not an ordinary story. Most fitting plot structure seems to open-ended.

Exposition: None.

Inciting incident: The mouse starts talking.

Rising action: The mouse finishes it’s words.

Climax: The cat eats the mouse and speaks.


Crises: None.Resolution: None.

CharacterisationThere isn’t any characterisation other than telling they are the mouse and cat, and that can beconsidered direct.

CharactersMouse: Protagonist, major, static character. It is a mouse.

Cat: Antagonist, major, static character. It is a cat.

SettingOnly the walls are given as setting and it is important in only one way: the walls represent

unpassable barriers.

ThemesImpossibility of escape from fate, will to live vs. death, ease of living by completely obeying to some

rules, fate.

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SymbolsMouse symbolizes any living being, especially humans while the cat represents death or fate.

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“HILLS LIKE WHITE ELEPHANTS”

by Ernest Hemingway

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TitleThe title is “Hills Like White Elephants”. It is chosen because the avoiding of a topic in literature is

called "having the white elephant in the room” and this one of the themes and the main occurance ofthe story.

Point of viewThird person selective. The writer leaves all the feelings, thoughts and meanings to the

interpretation of the reader.

ToneNarration is objective and detached. There isn’t even phrases like “he said” or “she said”. No feelings

or thoughts of the characters are given, so the tone is very distant.

StyleThere are no poetical expressions or breathtaking passages, just the basics. Narration is to the point

and clear and vocabulary and syntax is quite simple. There aren’t any much noticable feature of the

style. Dialogues are used heavily along the story. Hemingway’s style is one that tells only a little but

says everything in between the lines.

EffectThe writer aims to reflect the feeling of indecision and the obligation to make a decision in a

lose-lose situation, therefore a disturbance.

Plot structure

It is a linear plot structure, there is an anti-climax but the tension does not rise or resolve

actually.

Exposition: Description of the setting.

Inciting incident: Ordering of the drinks.

Rising action: Man and girl’s talks, noticing of the other people, taking drinks again.

Anti-climax: Girl saying she is fine.


Crises: None.

Resolution: None.

Characterisation

Characterisation is indirect, writer just shows the characters by telling what they do and say.

CharactersThere isn’t a protagonist or antagonist.

The American(Man): He is a major and static character. He initially avoids discussion of problems,

then he tackles them and push the girl to have the operation. He thinks himself more reasonable

than the girl and he patronizes and fails to provide the sympathy and understanding to her.

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The girl: She is a major and static character. She is a helpless, confused, and indecisive woman. She

changes her mind along the story and seems uncertain about whether she wants to have the

operation. She seems aware of the fact that her relationship with the American actually ended.

Other characters: They are minor.

SettingTime is not specified. Place is a train station between Barcelona and Madrid. It is important because

it emphasizes the fact the man and woman are at a crossroads in their relationship. The contrast in

the landscape (white hills and barren valley) is also important. It represents the choice woman must

make, to have the baby or not.

ThemesTalking vs. communicating, drinking, man vs. woman, abortion, choices and consequences; doubt

and ambiguity.

SymbolsA white elephant symbolizes something no one wants. In this story, it represents the girl’s unborn

child. In addition to that, the train station represents a crossroads(Look at the “setting” section).

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“BORGES AND I”

by Jorge Luis Borges

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TitleThe title is “Borges and I” and it reflects the theme of the story which is the writer’s exploration of

his self.

Point of viewIt’s first person omniscient, because both characters are actually the same person and the narrator

knows virtually everything about his self. Narrator is one of the characters.

ToneTone is subjective, the writer writes in an inquiring and explaining way.

StyleIt is a translation, so it will be skipped.

EffectThe writer aims to raise questions in the mind of the reader about personalities and the reader’sself. He also wants the reader to engage in artistic creation process.

Plot structure

This story is not an event-based one, so none of the classical plot structures can apply.

Exposition:

Inciting incident:

Rising action:

Climax:

Falling action:

Crises:

Resolution:

CharacterisationCharacterisation is direct. The characters are the same person and narrator describes Borges as he

describes himself.

CharactersThere is not really any protagonist or antagonist and both characters are actually the same person.

“I”: He is the central character. He is a major character and is static. The story is about hisconsciousness, his exploration of his feeelings about his relationship to "the one called Borges." He

is also the narrator.

Borges: "Borges "is the writer, the persona of “I” known to others. He is a major character and is

static.

SettingNo specific external space. The place is the consciousness of the narrator, it’s importance comes

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from here. Time is not given.

ThemesSelf-consciousness, two parts of personality, loss of identity, relationship between a writer and his

private self, creation process of an artistic work.

Symbols

None.

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“THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER”

by Edgar Allan Poe

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TitleTitle is “The Fall of the House of Usher”. It is important as it sets the place of the story and in the end,

it turns out to have a metaphorical meaning(Fall of the family in parallel to the fall of their house).

Point of viewFirst person limited. Narrator is also a minor character in the story. This choice of point of view is

made to make the audience feel the fear much more and solve the mystery with narrator so that the

tension can continue along the story, always at its maximum.

ToneHorrifying and bizarre. It also encompasses elements of Gothic literature and romance.

StyleHis style is poetic. He uses a number of figures of speech in order to achieve this. The style in story is

rythmic and ornate, almost resembling verses.

EffectWriter wants the reader to feel horror and fear accompanied by terror.

Plot structure


Exposition: The narrator’s arrival to the house

Inciting incident: The narrator learning about Usher’s sickness

Rising action: The narrator learning about Madeline and the bit about house’s sentience ,

Madeline is alleged death and burial

Climax: Madeline’s return from the grave and Usher’s death

Falling action: Narrator fleeing from the house, house falls

Crises: None

Resolution: House of Usher is gone with no traces left behind

CharacterisationIt is direct.

CharactersRoderick Usher: He is the major character of the story. He suffers from acute-senses and he believes

his death will be because of his fear. He believes the house has it’s own consciousness. He is a youngman and an artist. He endeavours himself with writing literature. He has a supernatural connection

with his sister. He may be the only real character while the all others are merely creations of his

mentally disturbed mind. He lives the life of a recluse and never went out of the house for years, he

may be mad. He is static.

Madeline Usher: She is a minor character. She is young and has a supernatural connection with her

brother. She doesn’t seem to notice the narrator. She may not be real, even. She is a static character. Narrator: Narrator is the protagonist of the story. He is not named. He is allegedly a friend of

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Roderick but he may be another one of the creations of Roderick. He is a static and minor character.

Fear: Fear is the antagonist of the story.

House: House is said to be alive and changes in parallel to the family. It can be considered a minor,

static character and a reflection of Usher family or Roderick.

SettingTime is Victorian Era and the setting is a haunted house which is allegedly alive. The setting is very

important for the story because t he mansion’s exterior and interior is carefully crafted to heighten

the mood and atmosphere of the story

ThemesMadness, fear, isolation and supernatural.

SymbolsDecaying of the house represents the decline of Usher family and the house collapsing symbolizes

the fall of Usher family. Also, the fissure in the house symbolizes the problems between the Usher’s.

The house may very well represent Roderick, too.

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“THE BIRDS”

by Daphne du Maurier

8/11/2019 Portfolio - 2012-2013 Güz



Title“The Birds” is the title and it is chosen because the birds are the antagonist and a title mentioning

only them emphasizes their importance even more.

Point of viewThird person limited. Otherwise, we may not have believed it’s real. We may have thought that all

the things happening are illusions of Nat. Other than that, this point of view adds to the terror.

ToneEerie, suspenseful, horrifying, anxious. Also, objective.

StyleThe style takes it shape according to how it needs to be in order to be able terrorize readers.

Descriptions are especially important because they are highly visual. Storyline and narration is very

compelling and the writer builds up the tension slowly but steadily nevertheless. A lot of figures of

speech are used, e.g. imagery, irony, metaphors, personifications and similes.

EffectThe writer aims to make readers feel terror and uneasiness by using symbols of peace (birds) for

bringing a situation which is like an apocalypse for humanity.

Plot structure

Plot structure is open-ended.

Exposition: Description of Nat, the land and the behaviour of the birds.

Inciting incident: Birds’ first attack .Rising action: Continuation of the birds’ attacks, news report, barricading of the Hocken’s

house, stopping of the birds’ attack, Nat going out to get supplies, description of the

neighbourhood, final attack of the birds.

Climax: Nat smoking his last cigarette, indifferent to everything.


Crises: None.

Resolution: None.

CharacterisationThere is both direct and indirect characterisation.

CharactersNat Hocken: He is a major character and protagonist. He is a smart, brave, observant man who is in

his mid-life. He is a static character.

Mrs. Hocken, Jill & Johnny Hocken : They are minor and static characters. They do not make much of

an effect or help Nat.

The Triggs: They are minor and static characters. They get killed. They are over-confident of

themselves, even arrogant and calm people.

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Birds: They are the antagonist of this story and as a whole, they can be considered a major

character.

SettingThe time which story takes place in is 1950’s, after the WW2. Place is English countryside on thecoast of Cornwall. Time is not really that important but the place is important because it means the

town the birds attack is isolated and townsfolk are on their own. This also applies individually for

every character too.

ThemesThemes are anger, nature vs. human, survival, arrogance of humans.

SymbolsBirds are normally symbols of peace but in this story their this symbolical meaning is used for

creating a contrast.

8/11/2019 Portfolio - 2012-2013 Güz


“THE WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION”

by Agatha Christie

8/11/2019 Portfolio - 2012-2013 Güz



TitleTitle is “The Witness For The Prosecution” and it gives readers a tip explaining what the story is

related to clearly or it’s contents.

Point of viewIt’s t hird person selective. Readers cannot know exactly what all charecters are thinking. If it were

omniscient, the writer might not keep her readers in suspense and would not achieve her aim.

ToneIt is steady and as the facts unfold, and all of the particulars are always given in a methodical and

orderly manner. Details are related in an unhurried and reasonable way. Through careful story

development, suspense develops and forces the readers to actively engage in the work.

StyleThe writer gives us all of the particulars in a straightforward manner. Her style is usually headed

towards that who done the deed which started all the mystery and is the subject to the story. At the

end of the story, the case is solved in front of all characters. The use of psychological analysis is quite

prominent. Detective-type character of the story utilize psychology to draw conclusions. A lot of

symbols and motifs were used in the story, too. The writer uses a great deal of the motifs that are

common in detective stories, e.g. “Least Likely Suspect ”, “Chance Factor”, “Final Denoument ”,

“Oddity & Familiarity Clues”, “Missing Elements”, “Clues Hidden in Plain Sight ”.

EffectThe writer makes readers take a different approach to the story and reframe it by trying to keep

them in suspense till the very end of the story by means of twist endings.

Plot structure

Plot structure is triangular.

Exposition: Introduction of the case and accusations at the start of the story.

Inciting incident: It is the murder of Emily French which is before the story.

Rising action: Leonard’s taking to the jail, Romaine’s questioning.

Climax: Romaine testifying in court as a witness for the prosecution.

Falling action: Leonard getting set free.

Crises: Leonard’s guilt is revealed. This is actually after the resolution.

Resolution: Romaine’s eleborate plan is revealed.

CharacterisationIt is indirect.

CharactersMore than one people take up the role of antagonist in the eyes of the readers along the story but in

the end, Romaine is the antagonist.

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Wilfred: He is a major character and the protagonist. He works like a detective in the story and

thinks highly of himself as a clever man, but get tricked by Romaine Vole. He is a static character.

Romain Vole: She is a major, static character and the wife of Leonard. She is a loving wife and a

clever, sharp-minded woman. She succesfully tricks Wilfred and the jury in order to set her husband

free. She also creates some other characters for this. In the end, she turns out be antagonist.

Leonard: He is a major, static character. He is the murderer or Emily French but thanks to his wife

Romaine, he gets set free.Other characters: They are all minor and static characters who are instruments to the plot.

SettingThe setting is various places in England in 20th century. Most scenes are in houses and courtroom.

Setting is only appropriate for the story and means nothing more than that.

ThemesDeception and pretence, mystery, murder.

Symbols

Nationalities of characters are used as symbols of different personalities. In other words, characters’nationalities defines their personalities.

portfolio - 2012-2013 güz

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