Short Story: Definition, Characteristics, and Elements

 

B. A. I Sem. II 

UNIT 1

Survey Topics

Short Story: Definition, Characteristics, and Elements

 I. Short Story: Definition

A short story is a brief work of fiction that focuses on a single event, character, or theme. Unlike a novel, it is concise and revolves around a single plot with limited characters.

Definitions of a Short Story by Critics and Writers:

1. Edgar Allan Poe – “A short story is a piece of prose fiction that can be read in one sitting and aims to create a single effect.”
2. M. H. Abrams – “A short story is a brief fictional narrative in prose that usually focuses on a single character and event.”
3. Hugh Holman – “A short story is a fictional narrative that is shorter than a novel and concentrates on a few characters with a clear theme.”
4. E. V. Lucas – “A short story must have a unity of effect, aiming to give a strong impression with a minimum number of words.”

From these definitions, a short story is:

• A brief, fictional narrative
• Centered around one main event
• Readable in one sitting
• Focused on a limited number of characters

Characteristics of a Short Story:

A short story is a brief work of fiction that focuses on a single event or idea. It is shorter than a novel but still delivers a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end. Here are the main characteristics of a short story, explained in simple language:

1. Brevity (Short in Length)

• A short story is not very long.
• Unlike a novel, which can have many chapters, a short story is written in a few pages.
• Because of its short length, every word in the story is important and contributes to the overall meaning.

2. Single Event (Focus on One Main Incident)

• A short story revolves around one main event or conflict.
• Unlike a novel, which can have multiple subplots, a short story focuses on just one situation or problem.
• This helps keep the story simple and clear for the reader.

3. Few Characters (Limited Number of People in the Story)

• A short story usually has one or a few main characters.
• The main character is called the protagonist, who faces a challenge or conflict.
• There may be one or two supporting characters, but too many characters can make the story confusing.

4. Unity of Effect (Creating a Strong Mood or Emotion)

• A short story aims to leave a strong impression on the reader.
• The whole story is written in a way that supports a single mood, emotion, or theme.
• For example, a horror story should create fear, and a love story should evoke emotions of romance or longing.

5. Limited Setting (Takes Place in One or Few Locations)

• A short story does not have multiple locations like a novel.
• It is usually set in one or two places where all the events happen.
• This helps in keeping the story compact and focused.
• The setting (place and time) plays an important role in creating the right mood.

6. Concise Plot (Simple and Fast-moving Storyline)

• The plot of a short story is simple and moves quickly.
• There are no unnecessary details or long descriptions.
• The story usually follows a basic structure:
• Beginning (Introduction) – The characters and setting are introduced.
• Middle (Conflict/Rising Action) – A problem or challenge arises.
• Climax (Turning Point) – The most exciting or intense part of the story.
• End (Resolution/Conclusion) – The problem is resolved, and the story ends.

7. Strong Theme (Clear Message or Moral)

• Every short story has a theme, which is the main idea or message of the story.
• Themes can be about love, friendship, sacrifice, honesty, revenge, bravery, etc.
• Some short stories teach a moral lesson, while others focus on emotions or experiences.

8. Immediate Beginning (Starts with Action or Conflict)

• A short story does not have a slow introduction like a novel.
• It usually starts directly with an event, action, or problem to capture the reader’s attention.
• This keeps the story engaging and avoids unnecessary details.

Example: Instead of describing a character’s background for many pages, a short story might begin like this—

"Ravi ran as fast as he could. The train was leaving the station, and he had only seconds to jump on."

9. Effective Ending (Surprising, Thought-Provoking, or Emotional Conclusion)

• The ending of a short story is usually memorable and impactful.
• It can be:
• A surprise ending – An unexpected twist that shocks the reader.
• An open ending – Leaves the story open to interpretation.
• A moral ending – Gives a clear lesson or message.
• A good short story leaves the reader thinking about the story even after finishing it.

Example: In O. Henry’s famous short story “The Gift of the Magi”, the ending is ironic because both characters give up their most valuable possessions for each other, only to realize their sacrifices were unnecessary.

Conclusion

A short story is a compact and powerful form of storytelling. Its brevity, focused plot, limited characters, and strong emotional impact make it unique. Every word in a short story is meaningful, and it aims to leave a lasting impression on the reader in a short span of time.

II. Elements of a Short Story

A short story has several key elements that help in creating a complete and engaging narrative. These elements include Plot, Characters, Setting, Theme, Conflict, Point of View, and Style & Tone. Each element plays an important role in shaping the story.

1. Plot (The Sequence of Events)

• The plot is the series of events that make up the story.
• It follows a structured pattern with a beginning, middle, and end.
• A short story has a simple and focused plot that moves quickly.

Structure of a Plot:

1. Exposition (Introduction) – Introduces the main character(s) and setting.
2. Rising Action – Develops the conflict and builds suspense.
3. Climax – The turning point or the most intense part of the story.
4. Falling Action – Shows the consequences of the climax.
5. Denouement (Conclusion) – The final resolution of the story.

Example: In "The Thief's Story" by Ruskin Bond, the plot follows a young thief who learns a lesson about trust and kindness from a kind-hearted man.

 2. Characters (People in the Story)

• Characters are the people, animals, or beings that take part in the story.
• A short story usually has only a few characters to keep the focus clear.

Types of Characters:

1. Protagonist – The main character of the story.
2. Antagonist – The character or force that opposes the protagonist.
3. Supporting Characters – Minor characters that help develop the story.

Example: In "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry, the protagonist is Johnsy, a sick girl, and the supporting characters are her friend Sue and the painter Behrman.

3. Setting (Time and Place of the Story)

• Setting refers to where and when the story takes place.
• It helps in creating the mood and atmosphere of the story.
• A short story usually has only one or two settings to keep it simple.

Parts of Setting:

1. Place – Where the story happens (a village, city, house, forest, etc.).
2. Time – When the story happens (day, night, past, present, future).
3. Atmosphere – The mood of the setting (happy, mysterious, scary, etc.).

Example: In "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde, the setting is a city with a golden statue and poor people struggling to survive.

4. Theme (Main Idea or Message of the Story)

• The theme is the central idea or message that the story conveys.
• It can be a moral lesson, human emotions, or a social issue.
• Some stories have clear themes, while others allow readers to interpret them.

Common Themes in Short Stories:

1. Love and Sacrifice – Example: "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.
2. Friendship and Loyalty – Example: "The Bond of Love" by Kenneth Anderson.
3. Hope and Struggle – Example: "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry.
4. Greed and Consequences – Example: "The Monkey’s Paw" by W.W. Jacobs.

Example: In "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, the theme is materialism and the dangers of pride.

5. Conflict (Problem or Struggle in the Story)

• Conflict is the main problem that drives the story forward.
• The protagonist faces a challenge or struggle that needs to be resolved.

Types of Conflict:

1. Internal Conflict (Character vs. Self) – A struggle within a character’s mind.
   Example: A character struggling with fear or guilt.
2. External Conflict (Character vs. Outside Forces) – A struggle against another person, society, or nature.
• Character vs. Character – Example: A fight between two friends.
• Character vs. Society – Example: A person fighting against injustice.
• Character vs. Nature – Example: A man lost in a storm.

Example: In "The Last Leaf", Johnsy faces an internal conflict – she loses hope due to her illness.

6. Point of View (Narration of the Story)

• Point of View (POV) is the perspective from which the story is told.
• It affects how the reader understands the story.

Types of Point of View:

1. First-person – The narrator is a character in the story (uses "I" or "we").
   Example: "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe.
2. Third-person Limited – The narrator knows the thoughts of only one character.
   Example: "The Last Leaf".
3. Third-person Omniscient – The narrator knows everything about all characters.
   Example: "The Necklace".

7. Style and Tone (The Author’s Writing Style and Mood)

• Style refers to the way a writer chooses words and sentence structures.
• Tone is the mood or feeling of the story (happy, sad, serious, humorous).

Examples of Tone:

1. Serious and Thoughtful – Example: "The Last Leaf".
2. Humorous and Light-hearted – Example: "A Letter to God" by Gregorio López y Fuentes.
3. Mysterious and Suspenseful – Example: "The Monkey’s Paw".

Example: In "The Happy Prince", the tone is sad and emotional, making the reader feel sympathy.

Conclusion

A short story is made up of seven important elements – Plot, Characters, Setting, Theme, Conflict, Point of View, and Style & Tone. Each element works together to create a meaningful and engaging story. Understanding these elements helps in reading, analyzing, and writing short stories effectively.