Plot in a NovelAs outlined by Arist

Plot in a Novel

As outlined by Aristotle, “Plot is the arrangement of incidents.” There is a difference between plot and story. E .M Forster says, “The King died and the queen died”, is a story. “The King died and the queen died of grief” is a plot. Plot is a story or the foundation of the novel. It is an essential element of a novel. Plot is like a pillar of the building. In case we remove the pillar, the whole building will certainly collapse. Similarly, without plot the edifice of novel is impossible.

Typically, plot of every novel consists of Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and Dénouement. These are important elements of a plot.

Exposition

Exposition is the very first phase of the plot. Every single novel starts with the introduction of a number of characters. These characters interact with each other and advance the story head Rising Action

Rising action is the consequence of exposition. Action of the novel steadily moves forward and goes on till it reaches up to its peak, often referred to as Climax of a plot. It is a series of events, animosity, conflicts, and adversary. It is additionally labeled as complication.

Climax

Climax is the most essential stage of a plot. It is actually the heightened peak of Rising Action. The culmination of Rising Action is the starting point of Climax. In almost any novel, this phase is considered the most poignant, turbulent, thought provoking and also inciting position in the plot. In Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, the climax of the novel is the identity of the benefactor of Pip. Pip’s understanding of his real benefactor is the climax in the novel.

Falling Action

The culmination of Climax is the onset of Falling Action in the plot. In a plot, each time the action gets reversed and the main character undergoes a significant change, then it is the Falling Action of a plot.

Dénouement

Dénouement is also called Resolution. It is the final stage of plot. It brings an end to the plot and thereby settles the long lasting conflict.

Now let’s move to discuss some types of plots in a novel. William Foster-Harris, in his book, The Basic Patterns of Plot, has discussed the following three types of plot:

A Happy Ending Plot

As the very name reveals its connotation, it is the plot which has a happy ending. Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations is an example in this regard. Pip and Estella are united at the end of the novel after having passed through many tribulations and hardships.

An Unhappy Ending Plot

A novel, which has an unhappy ending, is referred to as An Unhappy Ending Plot. In this type of plot, usually, the main character sacrifices his life for the sake of a great cause. This cause may be anything, but not less in its magnitude and importance.

Inconclusive Plot

Inconclusive plot is a plot, wherein the ending of the novel is ambiguous.
Dialogue in Novel

Dialogue is a key element of a novel. Dialogue may be defined as a written conversation between two or more people in a novel. Dialogue seems to have many functions. It not simply moves the story of the novel ahead, but additionally discloses the personality of the character. It offers us an awesome piece of information about the setting, time, age and location of the characters. It also provides us a good chance to get insight into the mindset of various characters. Their words and intonation lay bare the personality of characters .

Without dialogue, the entire structure of a novel sounds like a monotonous essay. It enhances the flow of thoughts and provides you with a sort of pleasure. The readers won’t get sick and tired, in case the text is being presented in the form of dialogue. Merely prose won’t make up the novel. Novel is not an essay; it is a representation of real life. For this reason; dialogue is extraordinarily important in a novel. According to W.H Hudson, dialogue must fulfill the following requirements:

It should be an organic element and an inseparable part of the novel, and should really contribute, directly, either to the movement of the plot or the elucidation of the characters in their relation with it.
Dialogue, to be really and fully effective, should be natural, appropriate, and dramatic. The novelist should take care, that the language employed in conversation is in keeping with the personality of the speaker and suitable to the situation in which it occurs. The novel reflects life as it is actually lived and if the language is not in harmony with the character and talent of the speaker, the novel will become unrealistic.