Crow Lake AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL Overview

Crow Lake AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL Overview of the Novel Narrative Elements Characters How to Study the Novel S. WILSON – ENG 4 C – SPRING 2016

Overview of the Novel Crow Lake AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL • Novel is a memoire of Kate Morrison’s life • “Coming-of-Age” story: Growing up • Takes place in the past and present • Focuses on importance of family • Examines how we deal with tragedy • Divided into four parts

Narrative Elements Crow Lake AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL All novels – and all stories – have Narrative Elements, which are components that drive a story forward and help the reader connect to it. Narrative Elements include: • Plot • Conflict • Characters • Setting • Theme • Point-of-View Readers make meaning by analyzing elements within a story to create “bigger ideas” that make us connect the novel to other texts, ourselves, and the world

Narrative Elements Plot Crow Lake AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL PLOT: The sequence of events that make up a story. It is divided into five separate parts: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution While reading, it is important to keep the events organized to see how they are all connected.

Narrative Elements Conflict Crow Lake AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL CONFLICT: The issue that character(s) are attempting to overcome. This moves the plot forward. Conflict is typically divided into four categories: 1. 2. 3. 4. Character vs. Society Character vs. Self Character vs. Nature/Supernatural A novel may have several conflicts within it, and the conflicts are not always resolved.

Narrative Elements Characters Crow Lake AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL CHARACTER: Any person with a role in a story. Characters are developed in a novel to connect with the reader through different techniques. Characters can be grouped: 1. 2. 3. 4. Main / Supporting / Minor Protagonist/Antagonist Round / Flat Static / Dynamic In Crow Lake, Kate Morrison is the main character, while her siblings and their families are supporting characters.

Narrative Elements Theme Crow Lake AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL THEME: The topics or main ideas that are dealt with in a story. Themes help readers make connections between big ideas and our own understanding of the text and world. Common themes include good vs. evil, blind ambition, death, tragedy, growing up, and forgiveness. Crow Lake focuses on family, tragedy, and forgiveness as themes. While reading the novel, we need to consider these themes, how they are developed, and what the novel is attempting to teach us about them.

Narrative Elements Point-of-View Crow Lake AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL POINT-OF-VIEW: The perspective from which the story is told, or from whose eyes we see the story develop. The two most common methods include: First-Person: The story is narrated by someone who is also a character, and readers see their viewpoint. Third-Person: The narrator is someone who “sees all”, so the perspective can change from one character to another. All of Crow Lake is told from Kate’s perspective, so we see the story through her filter. We experience her bias.

Crow Lake Characters AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL Crow Lake is told by Kate Morrison, the middle child in a family of four children. The family is the focus of the story. Luke • • • Eldest brother Hard worker Extremely quiet Going to college Relationship with Sally Mc. Lean • 19 at beginning of story Matt • • Idolized by Kate Extremely smart Interested in biology Spends time at the ponds • Gets involved with Pye family • 17 at beginning of story Kate Bo • Narrates the story • Youngest child • Very close with Matt • We know the least • In a relationship with about her, though Daniel Crane as an we see her siblings adult struggle to raise her • Struggles to • Only a year-and-amaintain her family half at the beginning connections of the story • 7 at beginning of story

Crow Lake Characters AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL There are many supporting characters who have important roles in the development of the plot and conflicts. Morrison Family Luke Sally Matt Simon Marie Laurie Calvin Bo Kate Aunt Annie Daniel Pye Family Mc. Lean Family Community Members: Teachers, Doctor, Reverend, etc.

Characters Crow Lake AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL One of the challenges of Crow Lake is that the setting switches from the past (when the siblings are children) to the present (when they are adults). Readers experience the growth of the children through Kate’s eyes and then see them, (through her “blurred vision”) as adults. As you read, keep track of the four children. A good strategy is using a graphic organizer or sticky notes to create an annotated text.

How to Study the Novel Crow Lake AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL As we read the novel, our goals are the following: • Build an understanding of Narrative Elements as they apply to the novel • Understand other elements such as Literary Techniques • Build connections between characters and their experiences with our own experiences to make meaning • Extend themes to try and find lessons that we might learn from the story • Using a novel/text in an essay/review

How To Study the Novel The First Chapters Crow Lake AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL The prologue, (yes, you have to read the prologue) and the first two chapters serve some important purposes: 1. Provide us with a backstory. Kate’s greatgrandmother connects her and Matt. 2. Gives us details about the Morrison family. We learn quite a bit about the four children very early on. Keep track of the information. 3. We are very quickly introduced to the first major conflict, and it is what propels the story forward.