LESSON 1: INTERPRETING AND EVALUATING FICTION

Fiction, generally is a narrative form, in any medium, consisting of people, events, or places, that are imaginary.
The word is from the Latin word “fictio”, the act of making, fashioning, or molding.

Fiction is a narrative based on imagination rather than strictly on facts or history. It reflects truths through
made-up characters, plots, and settings.
"Fiction is a narrative shaped or made from the imagination" (Kennedy & Gioia, 2013, p. 5).
Example:
• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – An imaginative tale with real-life truths about
relationships and growing up.

• Interpreting fiction helps uncover meaning.

o Theme – The message or insight.
o Characters – Their development, actions, and motivations.
o Setting – Its effect on mood and plot.
o Symbolism – Deeper meanings in objects/events.
o Narrative Voice – Who is telling the story and how?

• Evaluating fiction involves critical thinking and literary analysis.

o Coherence and Structure – Is the story logically and effectively organized?
o Character Realism and Depth – Are the characters believable and well-developed?
o Language and Style – Is the language vivid, appropriate, and stylistically consistent?
o Emotional Impact – Does the story evoke empathy or provoke thought?
o Thematic Relevance – Is the theme meaningful and effectively conveyed?

Types of Fiction with Examples

1. Novel
o A long narrative work with complex characters, settings, and multiple plots.
o Examples:
▪ Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen) – A romance about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy
dealing with pride, prejudice, and social class.
▪ Moby Dick (Herman Melville) – Captain Ahab’s obsessive quest to hunt the white whale,
symbolizing human struggle against fate.
2. Novella
o Shorter than a novel but longer than a short story; usually focuses on one main conflict.
o Examples:
▪ Animal Farm (George Orwell) – Allegory of a failed revolution where animals overthrow
humans but face new tyranny.
▪ The Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka) – Gregor Samsa wakes up as a giant insect, reflecting
alienation and identity struggles.
3. Short Story
o A brief narrative focusing on a single incident, character, or theme.
o Examples:
▪ The Lottery (Shirley Jackson) – A village’s dark ritual reveals the dangers of blind tradition.
▪ The Tell-Tale Heart (Edgar Allan Poe) – A chilling tale of guilt and madness after murder.
4. Flash Fiction
o Extremely short stories, often under 1,000 words, emphasizing brevity and surprise.
o Examples:
▪ Ernest Hemingway’s six-word story – “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Suggests tragedy
in just six words.
▪ Sticks (George Saunders) – A short piece about a father’s strange traditions, symbolizing
control and regret.
 5. Fable
o A short fictional tale that teaches a moral or lesson, often using animals as characters.
o Examples:
▪ The Tortoise and the Hare – Teaches perseverance and humility.
▪ The Fox and the Grapes – Shows how people often pretend not to want what they cannot
have (“sour grapes”).
6. Fairy Tale
o Stories involving magical creatures, enchantments, and imaginary worlds.
o Examples:
▪ Cinderella – A mistreated girl transformed by magic finds happiness and love.
▪ Snow White – A princess escapes her jealous stepmother with the help of seven dwarfs.
7. Myth
o Traditional stories explaining natural phenomena, cultural beliefs, or the origins of the world.
o Examples:
▪ Pandora’s Box (Greek Myth) – Explains how evil and suffering entered the world.
▪ The Creation Story (Norse Mythology) – Tells how the world was formed from the body of
the giant Ymir.
8. Legend
o Semi-true stories rooted in history but exaggerated over time.
o Examples:
▪ King Arthur – The legendary king of Camelot and his Knights of the Round Table.
▪ Robin Hood – The outlaw hero who “stole from the rich and gave to the poor” in Sherwood
Forest.

Genres of Fiction
1. Romance
These stories are about a romantic relationship between two people. They are characterized by sensual tension,
desire, and idealism.

2. Action Adventure
Any story that puts the protagonist in physical danger, characterized by thrilling near misses, and courageous and
daring feats, belongs to this genre. It is fast paced, the tension mounting as the clock ticks. There is always a climax
that offers the reader some relief.

3. Science Fiction
This genre incorporates any story set in the future, the past, or other dimensions. The story features scientific
ideas and advanced technological concepts.

4. Fantasy
These stories deal with kingdoms as opposed to sci-fi, which deals with universes. Myths, otherworldly magic-
based concepts, and ideas characterize these books.

5. Speculative Fiction
These stories are created in worlds unlike our real world in certain important ways. This genre usually overlaps
one or more of the following: science fiction, fantasy fiction, horror fiction, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction,
utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history.

6. Suspense/Thriller
A character in jeopardy dominates these stories. This genre involves pursuit and escape. It is filled
with cliffhangers and there are one or more ‘dark’ characters that the protagonist must escape from, fight
against, or best in the story. The threats to the protagonist can be physical or psychological, or both. The setting is
integral to the plot. This is often described as a gripping read.
7. Horror/Paranormal/Ghost
These are high-pitched scary stories involving pursuit and escape. The protagonist must overcome supernatural
or demonic beings. Occult is a sub-genre that always uses satanic-type antagonists.

8. Mystery/Crime
These are also known as ‘whodunits’. The central issue is a question that must be answered, an identity revealed,
a crime solved. This novel is characterized by clues leading to rising tension as the answer to the mystery is
approached. There are many sub-genres in this category.

9. Family Saga
This genre is about on-going stories of two or more generations of a family. Plots revolve around things like
businesses, acquisition, properties, adventures, and family curses. By their nature, these are primarily historical,
often bringing the resolution in contemporary settings. There is usually a timeline involved in these books.
10. Women’s Fiction
These plot lines are characterized by female characters who face challenges, difficulties, and crises that have a
direct relationship to gender. This is inclusive of woman’s conflict with man, though not limited to that. It can
include conflict with things such as the economy, family, society, art, politics, and religion.

11. Magic Realism

Magical events are part of ordinary life in this genre. The characters do not see them as abnormal or unusual.
They are a natural part of the story. One Hundred Years of Solitude is a classic in this genre.

12. Literary Fiction

This genre focuses on the human condition and it is more concerned with the inner lives of characters and themes
than plot.

Genre Easy Explanation Examples & Glimpses

Romance Stories about love and Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen) – Elizabeth Bennet
relationships, often with and Mr. Darcy’s pride and misunderstandings evolve
passion and emotional into true love. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks) – A
struggles. touching love story of Noah and Allie, told across
decades.

Action Adventure Fast-paced, full of danger Treasure Island (R.L. Stevenson) – A boy’s thrilling
and daring heroics. The journey with pirates in search of buried treasure. The
hero survives risky Three Musketeers (A. Dumas) – D’Artagnan and his
challenges. musketeer friends fight for honor and justice in France.

Science Fiction Explores future, space, or Dune (Frank Herbert) – A desert planet and its spice fuel
advanced technology with battles for power, destiny, and survival. The War of the
“what if” questions. Worlds (H.G. Wells) – Earth is invaded by Martians,
showing mankind’s fragility.

Fantasy Set in magical worlds with The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien) – Bilbo Baggins goes on an
kingdoms, mythical adventure to reclaim a treasure guarded by a dragon.
creatures, and Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling) – A young wizard discovers
supernatural powers. his magical destiny while fighting dark forces.

Speculative Fiction Imagines worlds unlike The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) – Katniss fights for
ours; blends sci-fi, fantasy, survival in a deadly televised competition. The
horror, or dystopia. Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood) – A dystopian
society controls women and limits their freedom.
Suspense/Thriller Tense and exciting; The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown) – A symbologist
involves danger, pursuit, uncovers a dangerous religious conspiracy. Gone Girl
and shocking twists. (Gillian Flynn) – A missing wife’s case twists into lies,
deceit, and shocking revelations.

Horror/Paranormal Scary stories with Dracula (Bram Stoker) – Count Dracula spreads terror
supernatural beings, as he seeks new victims in England. It (Stephen King) –
demons, or ghosts. A shapeshifting monster terrorizes children in a small
town.

Mystery/Crime Solving a crime or puzzle; Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Conan Doyle) – The brilliant
detectives often uncover detective solves complex mysteries with logic. Murder
the truth. on the Orient Express (Agatha Christie) – Detective
Poirot investigates a murder on a snowbound train.

Family Saga Follows several One Hundred Years of Solitude (G.G. Marquez) – The
generations of a family Buendía family’s magical and tragic history in Macondo.
across time, often The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough) – A forbidden
historical. love story spanning generations in an Australian family.

Women’s Fiction Focuses on women’s lives, Little Women (Louisa May Alcott) – The March sisters
struggles, and personal grow up facing love, hardship, and ambition. Eat, Pray,
growth in society. Love (Elizabeth Gilbert) – A woman travels the world to
rediscover herself after a broken marriage.

Magic Realism Ordinary life mixed with One Hundred Years of Solitude (G.G. Marquez) – Magical
magical events seen as and strange events intertwine with everyday life in
normal by characters. Macondo. Like Water for Chocolate (Laura Esquivel) – A
woman’s emotions magically infuse the food she cooks.

Literary Fiction Focuses on deep themes To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee) – A young girl learns
and realistic characters; about racism and justice in the American South. The
more on meaning than Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald) – Jay Gatsby’s dream of
plot. love and wealth ends in tragedy.
 ELEMENTS OF FICTION
CHARACTERS
1. Protagonist
• Definition: The main character in a story. The one the audience is meant to root for. The story usually
follows their journey.
• Purpose: Drives the plot forward through their goals and challenges.
• Example:
o Harry Potter in Harry Potter series
o Simba in The Lion King
2. Antagonist
• Definition: The character (or force) that opposes the protagonist and creates conflict.
• Purpose: Challenges or blocks the protagonist's goals.
• Example:
o Voldemort in Harry Potter
o Scar in The Lion King
3. Static Character
• Definition: A character who does not change throughout the story. Their personality and beliefs stay
the same.
• Purpose: Often supports the main plot or highlights the change in other characters.
• Example:
o Dory in Finding Nemo (she stays cheerful and forgetful)
o Scar in The Lion King (remains evil and power-hungry)
4. Dynamic Character
• Definition: A character who undergoes significant internal change—in personality, values, or
understanding—by the end of the story.
• Purpose: Represents growth, learning, or transformation.
• Example:
o Shrek in Shrek (goes from isolated and grumpy to loving and open)
o Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (from greedy to generous)

Type of Character Description Example

Protagonist Main character Harry Potter
Antagonist Opposes the protagonist Voldemort
Static Character Does not change Dory (Finding Nemo)
Dynamic Character Changes significantly Shrek

METHODS OF CHARACTERIZATION
Characterization is how an author reveals the personality, traits, and development of a character in a story.
There are two main methods:

1. Direct Characterization
• Definition: The author tells the audience what a character is like.
• Clue: Look for clear statements about the character.
• Example:
o "John was a kind and generous man."
o "She was always selfish and rude."
The narrator tells us directly what the character is like.

2. Indirect Characterization
• Definition: The author shows the character’s personality through clues.
• Clue: You have to infer what the character is like from what they do or say.
There are 5 types (S.T.E.A.L.):

Method Description Example

Speech What the character says “I’ll help you, no matter what.” → Suggests kindness
Thoughts What the character thinks or “I wish I were brave enough to speak up.” → Shows
feels insecurity
Effects on How others react to them People avoid him → May suggest he’s rude or scary
others
Actions What the character does Donates money to charity → Shows generosity
Looks Physical appearance and Wears a wrinkled suit and messy hair → Could show
clothing carelessness or stress
Indirect characterization makes the reader interpret the character through behavior and context.

POINT OF VIEW (POV)

Point of View (POV) refers to who is telling the story and how much they know about the events and
characters.

1. First-Person Point of View

• Narrator is a character in the story
• Uses "I," "me," "my," "we"
• We only know what the narrator knows, sees, or feels
Example:
"I walked down the dark alley, hoping no one was following me."
Famous Example:
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

2. Second-Person Point of View

• Narrator speaks directly to the reader
• Uses "you," "your"
• Rare in literature; often found in instructions, guides, or interactive stories
Example:
"You walk into the room and see a mysterious box."
Used In: Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books, tutorials

3. Third-Person Point of View

The narrator is outside the story and refers to characters as "he," "she," "they".
There are three types:
3A. Third-Person Limited
• Narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character only
• Follows one character closely
Example:
"She wondered if he had forgotten her birthday."
Famous Example:
Harry Potter series (mostly told from Harry’s perspective)

3B. Third-Person Omniscient

• Narrator knows everything — thoughts, feelings, and actions of all characters
• "God-like" perspective
Example:
"As Sarah cried in her room, Tom felt guilty across town."
Famous Example:
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

3C. Third-Person Objective

• Narrator only reports actions and dialogue, no thoughts or feelings
• Like a camera watching the scene
Example:
"He stood up and left the room. She watched him go."

POV Narrator Key Access to Example

Words Thoughts?
First-Person Character in the I, me, my Yes – only their "I was late to school again."
story own
Second-Person Speaks to reader You, your Depends "You open the door and..."
Third-Person Outside narrator He, she, One character "She didn’t know what to say."
Limited they only
Third-Person Outside narrator He, she, All characters "Everyone was thinking the
Omniscient they same thing."
Third-Person Outside narrator He, she, No "They sat in silence."
Objective they

i
1. Third Person Omniscient
• Definition: The narrator is all-knowing. They can enter the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of
multiple characters.
• Features:
o Unlimited knowledge of events, past, present, and future.
o Can describe what different characters are thinking or feeling at the same time.
o Sometimes directly comments or interprets the story for the reader.
• Example: In Pride and Prejudice, the narrator moves between characters’ thoughts, such as Elizabeth
Bennet’s and Mr. Darcy’s.

2. Third Person Limited

• Definition: The narrator tells the story from the perspective of one character (sometimes more, but one
at a time).
• Features:
o Limited access: only knows what the chosen character sees, thinks, and feels.
o Creates intimacy with that character while keeping others’ thoughts hidden.
o The reader discovers things as the character does.
• Example: Harry Potter (by J.K. Rowling) mainly follows Harry’s perspective; readers only know what
Harry knows.

3. Third Person Objective

• Definition: The narrator is an outsider who reports only what can be seen or heard.
• Features:
o No access to characters’ inner thoughts or feelings.
o Neutral and detached, like a camera recording events.
o Leaves readers to infer motives and emotions from actions and dialogue.
• Example: Ernest Hemingway’s Hills Like White Elephants shows only characters’ actions and dialogue,
without revealing their thoughts.