CLASS: SENIOR THREE
COURSE CONTENTS
UNIT I: REVIEW OF KEY ASPECTS OF PROSE
UNIT II: PLOT DEVELOPMENT
UNIT III: TONE, ATMOSPHERE AND PURPOSE
UNIT IV: TYPES OF POETRY AND POEMS
UNIT V: POETIC DEVICES
UNIT VI: CONTEXT AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT
UNIT VII: CHARACTER, SUBJECT MATTER AND THEMES
UNIT VIII: STYLE, MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE.
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UNIT VI: CONTEXT AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT
VI.1. CONTEXT IN A PLAY
Context is the set of circumstances or facts that surround a play, such as the setting and other factors affecting the setting. It refers to the whole situation, background or environment relevant to a play. Therefore, context refers to the background information surrounding a play.
a. Social context: It refers to the reflection of how the characters’ actions and attitudes are affected by events occurring around the time and place where they live. It is also a condition of existence. It involves the characters’ interactions in all levels of life.
b. Historical context: This refers to the time period in which a story occurs. Both historical events (like wars) can influence the story. It is an aspect of setting that pertains to when events and when characters live and interact.
c. Cultural context: It can be described as the sustained conditions, collective expectations and prevailing norms among a group of people or a social network. It includes the values of a society, their beliefs social and moral norms as well as the meanings people give to the human actions and behaviours.
d. Political context: This deals with the leadership characteristics and dynamics of a society. It includes the types of leadership (like democracy, monarchy, kingdom, chiefdom), the role of people in determining their leadership, freedoms and rights…
VI.2. PLOT DEVELOPMENT
Plot development refers to the sequence of events in a play that make us follow what is happening. The plot is carefully arranged with logical series of events having a beginning, middle and end. In a play, the words (dialogue) and actions of characters are essential as this is what makes the story move from one point to the next.
The following are the major elements/stages of plot development.
The parts or elements of a plot
a. Exposition/conflict: It is the opening part of a play which introduces important information to the audience. This information includes the setting, characters and the conflict is introduced. Exposition can be conveyed through dialogues, flashbacks or characters’ thoughts through monologues.
b. Rising action/complication: It is the part of a plot which comes after introduction/exposition. This part is where a series of events build toward the point of greatest interest. A lot of tension and suspense are built in this part.
c. Climax/crisis: In a play, it is the turning point of the fate of the main character. It is the highest point of interest. It is where the main characters have to make decisions that must resolve the main conflict of the play.
d. Falling action: It is the point where the events begin to lead to the conclusion of the play. At this point, the conflicts begin to be resolved and the main character(s) either lose or win against the problems.
e. Resolution/denouement/conclusion: This stage comprises the events from the end of the falling action to the actual ending scene of a drama. This is where the conflict is resolved or concluded and normality is restored for the characters. The character(s) might live happily ever after.
Note: – A conflict is the struggle between two opposing forces or between characters.
-A good plot is the one that captivates by introducing twists and turns to the development of events.
– The plot should not be obviously predictable as this kills the interests of the audience.
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