Analysis of A Dark Brown Dog in the Light of Elements of Fiction

Analysis of A Dark Brown Dog in the Light of Elements of Fiction

Fiction Merriam Webster defines it as, “literature in the form of prose, especially novels, that describes imaginary events and people.” The most important things that fictionists need to take into consideration are the elements of fiction. Every element represents different explanation and ideas of what meanings that author want to deliver to the reader. There are six elements of fiction; point of view, setting, characters, style, plot and theme. In this assignment I will analyze the story of A Dark Brown Dog, by Stephen Townley Crane, in the light of three elements of fiction; character, plot and theme.

First, characterization; Characters refer to the people authors create to inhabit their stories. In other words, people represented in a play, film, story, role, etc. There are two types of characters; They can be flat or minor, or round and major, developed with more depth. The round or major characters, that are; their personalities are well developed and believable. These characters frequently change as the story progresses; if they do, they are also described as dynamic. Minor characters are often flat characters: we see only one aspect of their personalities. They are usually static characters; that is, they do not change through the story. The main characters in A Dark Brown Dog story are the dog and the little boy. The minor characters are  the boys’ family members.

Second, the plot can be defined as the pattern of the action, the arrangement of the action, the selection and ordering of events which make up the story. Plot can be loose or organic, and can also be simple, or compound. The plan of the plot of A Dark Brown Dog story is started with exposition or introduction; this stage comprises that part of the plot which leads up to the initial incident which is in the story; the meeting of the little boy and the dark brown dog, and the dog following the child to his home. Initial incident is the point in which the conflict originates, which was showed in the story; when the boy decided to take the dog to his home and made him his friend. The rising action, growth, or complication (escalation) means when the conflict continues to increase in intensity while the outcome remains uncertain. It was obvious in the story when the drunken father and family members abused the dog when the boy in not at home. In the story, the climax, crisis or turning point when one of the opposed forces obtains sufficient controlling power to ensure ultimate success. When the father threw the dog out of the window. The falling action, resolution or denouement means the movement of events towards the success or victory of one side over the other is evident and clear. When the child cried and shouted at his father and went outside to see his friend, the dog. Conclusion or catastrophe when the conflict is brought to a close. In the story, it was how the child was sitting by the body of his dark-brown friend.

Third, theme which is the main idea of the story. The theme of the story of A Dark Brown Dog is the representing of the abuse and violence that people and other creatures had faced at that time. It is also about how the fathers’ of poor families were drunken and practice violence against their families and their children imitate them. It was showed when the boy met the dog and expostulated it.