Question

5. Using Freytag's pyramid, deconstruct the plot of a play or film that you are familiar with. Describe how the different stages are used in the plot you selected.

Answer 1

The example I am using is the novella of A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

exposition is where Scrooge's character is presented as greedy and selfish through the lack of appreciation he has for his family and the lack of relationships and generosity he has.

inciting incident is when Jacob Marley comes to warn Scrooge about the visitations of the Three Spirits and the suffering in purgatory.

rising action is when The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his neglected childhood and his life as an apprentice with Mr Fezziwig as an employer. the events with the Ghost of Christmas Present are also considered as the rising action when Scrooge is exposed to the inequalities in Victorian society as the Cratchit family are described as not having basic needs but their relationships are very strong and nevertheless they have a lot of gratitude for what they have. this shows the importance of family and relations over materialistic possessions.

climax is when the Ghost Of Christmas Yet To Come shows Scrooge his gravestone and crimes being committed against him when he is dead in order to motivate him to alter his future by changing his selfish ways.

falling action is when Scrooge is redeeming himself back in the present moment by having dinner with his family on Christmas, sending the Cratchit family a large turkey and giving the charity collectors he previously disrespected, a large donation.

denouement is when Scrooge is a friend to Tiny Tim near the end and he recognises the true value of his family and the people around him. this is when there is a sense of resolution in the novella and a circular narrative is used as certain dialogues such as "God bless us everyone!" are repeated.