2. UNDERSTANDING OF PLOT
R.S Gwynn (2002:7) says that plot can be defined as a story’s sequence of
incidence, arranged in dramatic order. One is tempted to insert the word
chronological but doing so will exclude many stories that depart from strict ordering
of events. Plot is one of the parts element that built the novel from inside, known as
intrinsic element. Plot is not only used in novels but also in drama and some other
literary work. There are many theories about the Plot and its kind R.S Gwynn
introduces several types of Plots and refers to the theory of Aristotle (384-322 b.c).
They are; Unfied Plot, Episodic Plot, Triangle Plot, Quest plot, and Transformation
Plot.
Unfied plot is realistic story, includes a central character and action, and
takes place in a single place, usually during a short span of time, such as an hour, few
hours, a day. The second type of plot that a writer can craft is the episodic plot. The
story has setting central character, conflict, takes place over a much longer period of
time. Often the author of novel itself will use the technique of “Flashback” to provide
background details or to tell the story.
The third type of plot is triangle plot. Triangle plot is a love story involving
three people. The fourth is Quest plot. Quest Plot which is unfied around group of
Plot. Transformation Plot, in which a weak or physically unattractive charater
changes radically in the course of the story.
R.S Gwynn (2002:8) says that there are some techniques that might be used
by the writer to develop the plot in novel. They are Flashback and Foreshadowing.
The difference of flashback and foreshadowing are:
Flashback describes something that happened before the story began. Flashback is
just used to increase understanding of current event or character. For instance, if the
reader learns that something happened to a character when he or she was younger, it
might help to explain why he or she just behaved in a cratin way in the story.
Foreshadowing gives clues to something that will happen later in the story.
Foreshadowing is used to help the reader predict what might happen, or to encourage
the reader to make a guess. It often happens fairly early in a story, and is frequently
used at the end of a chapter, or even at the end of one book in a series
Types of plot above are part of some sort plot. However, the types that
mention above is the kind of plot that is often found in novel. To analyze plot in
novel, R.S Gwynn also provide and explain some of the steps that called element of
plot. They are ; Exposition, Complication/Rising Action, Conflict, Moment Of Crisis,
A. Exposition
Exposition is the step where the reader was given essential information in a
novel that related to the characters by the author. Usually, in this step author will
introduce the main character and another character that play a role in the novel. In
“Fiction” book by R.S Gwynn explains that exposition divided into four parts. They
are;
a. Exposition Who
Exposition “Who” is the part where the author introduces the main character
and other characters. Introducing and explaining the characters that play in a novel,
there are three things that must be mention, they are :
b. Exposition What
Exposition “What” is the part where the author explains what event makes
the main character meet other characters that also an important character in that novel
because they might be give an influence to the main character’s life.
c. Exposition When
Exposition “When” is the part where the author gives information about a
statement of time when the main character meet with other characters. Sometimes, in
the author wants the reader make their own prediction about the time, so it becomes
interesting. The novel like this may be use One day, Last Month, etc.
d. Exposition Where
Expositions where is the stage where writer notify explanation where the main
character meet with another character and make them know each other
B. Rising Action
Complication is the appearance of some circumstance or event that shakes
up the stable situation and begins the rising action of the story. Rising action in a
story may be either external and internal, or a combination of the two. A stroke
fortune such as illness or accident which affects a character is a typical example of an
external rising action, a problem that the character cannot ignore, while an internal
rising action might not be immediately apparent, the result of a character’s
deep-seated uncertainties, dissatisfactions, and fears.
C. Conflict
Conflict is event when between two characters or more have different personalities or
goals.
D. Moment of Crisis
E. Climax
Climax is the greatest tension in a novel. In this part, the reader will give
much and special attention to what will happen next to the main character after
climax.
F. Falling Action
Falling action is event in the story that tells about what will happen to the main
character after climax and how is his/her life after the climax with other character that
influence her/his life. This is the part that close to the end of story.
G. Resolution
The final part of a plot is the resolution. The literally refers to the untying of
a knot, and we might compare the emotional release of a story’s ending with a piece
of cloth that has been twisted tighter and tighter and is then untwisted as the action
winds down. The resolution returns the characters to another stable situation. A
story’s resolution may be termed either closed or open. A Closed resolution ties up
everything neatly and explains all unanswered questions the reader might have. On
