Plot, Its Elements & Gaps

Plot = What + Why

The twentieth century British novelist, E. M. Forster, defines "story" as merely a sequence of narrative events. First one thing happened, then another. In contrast to a story, Forster says plot includes why things happened as they did.

To borrow Forster's classic example, "'The king died and then the queen died' is a story. 'The king died, and then the queen died of grief' is a plot.... Or again: 'The queen died, and no one knew why, until it was discovered that it was through grief at the death of the king.' This is a plot with a mystery in it, a form capable of high development" (Aspects of the Novel, [New York: Harcourt, 1927] 86).  Plot comprises several elements that tell you not only what is going on and when, but why.

The Elements of Plot

These are the raw materials that make up a story's plot:

Exposition

Exposition refers to the things that happen, speeches made, thoughts and observations of characters and the narrator. This is the information you are given about the story.

Complication

The complication is whatever in the story leads to conflict. The conflict may be between characters, or ideas, or within a character as she debates what course of action to take, etc. In The Music Man, Professor Harold Hill sings, "We got trouble. Right here in River City." The complication of a plot is the "trouble" it's got.

Climax

Eventually, the story reaches a turning point where the characters respond to the conflict(s) of the plot. This is the climax.

Resolution

Following the climax, a resolution brings the story to a close.

Gaps in the Story

What do you think: did the queen die of grief she felt over the king's death, or some other grief? One of Forster's plots above makes the answer to this question clear; the other does not. In addition to exposition, complication, climax and resolution, plots are also given shape by what is not in the story. 

Often in literature—and at very many points in the Bible—we do not find out everything we want to know from the author. The story has blanks that are not filled in. For instance, where was Sarah, Isaac's mother and Abraham's wife, when Abraham was walking with his son up a mountain in order to follow God's instructions to kill Isaac? (Genesis 22). Did Sarah know what Abraham was up to? We don't know. The story never mentions Sarah. 

Read more about gaps in the New Testament in Mark W. G. Stibbe, John's Gospel (London & New York: Routledge, 1994) 8-15.

The literary theorist Wolfgang Iser calls these blank spaces in a plot, "gaps," and argues that when we read, we are constantly working to fill in gaps left by the author. "Inquiring minds want to know" the identity of the Beloved Disciple mentioned in John's gospel, or whether the elder son in the Parable of the Prodigal Son joined the party after his father talked to him (Luke 15), or whether the centurion at the cross said, "Truly this man was God's son!" (Mark 15:39) in a sarcastic tone or a worshipful one. Gaps often inspire us to re-read a passage more closely in order to find clues to material that is actually left out of the story.

What's Next: Tracing New Testament Action

We will use these plot elements as we trace the action of New Testament stories. Follow the link below to the next page of introductory material for this skill.

Next: Tracing the Action of a Story