Story Structure in Fiction
#2 Freytag's Triangle
Freytag's Modified Triangle is the emotional structure of the story.
The bottom axis of the graph represents Time. Time pushes the story forward & forces the emotional level higher, by adding suspense and danger.
The vertical axis of the graph is Emotional Level or the emotional state of the protagonist. As the story moves forward, conflicts in the story and the protagonist's Desire force the emotional level higher, creating Suspense & Drama.
The Complication is the initial conflict that sets the plot in motion. It is the event that disrupts the protagonist's life & forces the protag to resolve the conflict by confronting the antagonistic forces. This drives the Rising Action of the plot.
As the protagonist struggles with the conflict, antagonistic forces try to prevent that. This becomes the rising action of the plot. Desire forces the protagonist forward .
The Rising Action is a power struggle between the protag and antag. Crisis Moments occur when the protag's attempts to solve the problem fail. At these points, the protag must decide whether to continue or to give up. Desire forces the protag on, though, and suspense mounts.
At the Climax, the protag realizes the truth of the conflict. This is the moment where true reasons for the conflict become clear. The protag may not understand how to resolve the conflict, but there is a clear sense it will be resolved - - one way or another.
Once the truth is revealed to the protag, a solution to the conflict is possible. The falling action of the story is the process of devising that solution.
The Resolution is that point when the revelation of the climax becomes visible to the other characters. This is the true ending where all is returned to some level or normalcy.
In some stories, the protagonist is changed by the experience of the story. Usually, the change is for the better. The protagonist realizes that the events of the story required a fundamental change in how to deal with life. Usual methods of conflict resolution failed; new methods were invented. The new methods were better. The protag has learned new survival skills, has become a better individual. How the average reader understands this change and can benefit from it is the Theme of the story.
