Conflict: Eddie and Delia had not been in good terms and in conflict with one another since they were young. They seemed to see each other as rivals. Delia always try to get rid of those things that would make her brother Eddie happy. But despite that, Eddie still kept his patience with Delia knowing about her health condition and he is afraid that something wrong might happen to her if he fought back. Delia was 8 when Eddie was born and at the same time, their mother died. This could be one of the factors why Delia hates Eddie, she maybe thinking that Eddie is the reason why their mother died. Moreover, Delia may also feel jealous about Eddie getting more attention from their father. The later would even go hunting as their bonding. This is the conflict of the story.
Short Story
A short story is fictional, or a story about imaginary events and people, written in prose. It has a setting, characters, plot, theme, and point of view. It covers only a limited length and can be read in one sitting. Short stories have a relatively broad range of lengths, between 1,000 and 7,500 words. It is limited in scope and has an introduction, body and conclusion. The story of the "The Centipede" is one example of a short story.
Elements of a Short Story
A short story has the following key elements:
of View
Plot - it is the sequence of events in a story.
Setting - it refers to the time and place in which the events of a story take place.
Characters – it refers to the direct or indirect subjects around whom the story revolves.
Theme - it is the central idea or main message of the story.
Point of View - it refers to the perspective from which the story is told A Story can be told from the perspective of a direct participant in the story (first-person point of view, characterized by the use of the pronoun l) or from the perspective of an observer (third person point of view).
Plot and Structure
The plot is the main sequence of events that make up the story. In short stories the plot is usually centered around one experience or significant moment. Consider the following questions:
What is the most important event?How is the plot structured? Is it linear, chronological or does it move around?Is the plot believable?
CONFLICT: Conflict or tension is usually the heart of the short story and is related to the main character. In a short story there is usually one main struggle.
How would you describe the main conflict?Is it an internal conflict within the character?Is it an external conflict caused by the surroundings or environment the main character finds himself/herself in?
CLIMAX: The climax is the point of greatest tension or intensity in the short story. It can also be the point where events take a major turn as the story races towards its conclusion.
When does the climax take place?
RESOLUTION: The resolution is the end of the story. It focuses on how the conflict is ultimately resolved.
Are the closing sentences significant? How does the end relate or connect to the opening?Types of Short Stories
There are various types of short stories that deal particularly with the different story elements:
Short story of settingShort story of characterShort story of plotShort story of themeShort story of point of viewShort story of setting - it focuses on the setting. It gives a vivid representation of a particular location and time.
Short story of character - it highlights and revolves around the roles of the characters in the story.
Short story of plot - it emphasizes the sequence of the plot, from exposition to resolution.
Short story of theme - it centers on a particular theme and focuses on the teaching of values and morals.
Short story of point of view - it delivers the story through a specific point of view. It can be in the first person or third-person point of view.
To know more about the story of "The Centipede":
Setting of the story:
Plot of the story:
Moral lesson:
