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Forged by Fire

Literary Terms, Background and Vocabulary

KEY CONCEPTS

!  Setting !  Characters !  Plot !  Conflict !  Resolution !  Point of view !  Tone !  Theme

!  Flashback !  Foreshadowing

Point of View

! First-person: author uses the words I and me, and the story is told as though the author was a participant in the events.

! Third-person: the pronouns used are he, she and they, and the author is a storyteller outside of the events.

! Omniscient: knows what all the characters think and feel

Tone

! The author’s attitude, style, or manner that is expressed mostly by word choice

Setting

! Where and when the story takes place ! Time: Some authors tell you exactly the day,

the month, the year, and even the hour that the action begins. In other stories, the reader must figure out the time period by clues in the characters’ clothing styles, modes of transportation, or way of speaking.

! Place: Stories always take place somewhere

Mood

! The feeling the author tries to convey throughout the story (frightened, sad, happy, etc)

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Characters

! The people the story is about; characters are sometimes animals ! Protagonist: the main

character ! Antagonist: character who

opposes the protagonist ! Example: (Forged By Fire) Gerald is the

protagonist and Jordan the antagonist.

Conflict

! Conflict is the struggle or problem between two forces either externally or internally.

Man vs. Man

! In this common conflict, what one character wants conflicts with what another character wants. Example: Batman vs. Superman

Man vs. Society

! The main character(s) does not fit in with society- who goes against what society wants or expects.

Man vs. Nature

! The characters in stories fight against natural forces such as storms, cold, or extreme heat. The natural force is called the antagonistic force.

Man vs. Self

! This conflict involves an internal struggle. A character must overcome problems within himself. He may wish to do one thing, but be tempted to do another.

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Plot

! The sequence of events which lead to the resolution

Plot structure: ! (Step 1)Exposition: introduces

the readers to characters and explains the setting. Gives background information needed to understand the story.

Plot Structure

! (Step 2) Complications: the event that sets the story in motion

! Example: Forged By Fire: When Gerald accidentally sets the apartment on fire, he has to go live with Aunt Queen.

Plot Structure

! (Step 3) Rising Action: the sequence of events that occur during which time the conflict develops or builds (puts you on the edge of your seat). ! Example: In Forged By Fire when the kitchen

catches on fire while Jordan and Angel are in the bedroom, the chapter ends leaving you wondering what will happen next.

Plot Structure

! (Step 4) Climax: the highest point of interest or suspense ! Example: The final showdown between Gerald

and Jordan

Plot Structure

!  (Steps 5&6) Falling Action and Resolution: the events after the climax and the end of the story. Most of the time, all questions will be answered at this point. Some stories “leave you hanging.”

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EXPOSITION

INCITING INCIDENT

RISING ACTION

CLIMAX

FALLING ACTION

RESOLUTION

Flashback

! A narrative technique that allows a writer to present past events during current events, in order to provide background for the current narration

Foreshadowing

! a method used to build suspense by providing hints of what is to come

Theme vs. Topic

! The topic is simply what the story is about.

! The theme is the author’s point about the topic.

Theme

! What is the big message about life in the story?

Forged By Fire

! Topics: abuse, hardship, friendship, courage, death

! Themes: ! Abuse can damage an entire family. ! Hardships can make a person stronger. ! Death has no age limit.

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Forged by Fire Characters

! Gerald ! Gerald is the protagonist in Forged by Fire.

Gerald has a troubled past and a troubled future. The only sources of happiness In his life, are his little step- sister, Angel, playing basketball, and his teammates on the basketball team.

Forged by Fire Characters

Monique Monique is Gerald’s drug abusing

mother. After being sent to jail for abandoning Gerald, she marries Jordan Sparks. Although she loves her children, she ignores the horrible abuse they face daily.

Forged by Fire Characters

!  Jordan ! Jordan is the antagonist of Forged by Fire.

He is Gerald’s abusive stepfather. Jordan is an alcoholic, highly temperamental, and cannot hold a job.

Forged by Fire Characters

! Angel ! Angel is Gerald’s little sister. She is an

exceptional dancer, which is her way of coping with the horrific abuses she and Gerald encounter in their lives.

Forged by Fire Characters

! Aunt Queen is Gerald’s loving aunt, who takes care of him after his mother, Monique, is sent to jail for abandoning Gerald. While living with her, his life is filled with support and love.

Forged by Fire Characters

! Mr. Washington is the father of Gerald’s closest friend, Rob. Because Gerald is able to confide in him, he helps Gerald put an end to the constant emotional and physical torment.

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Forged by Fire Characters

! Rob is the son of Mr. Washington and Gerald’s best friend. Rob is a talented basketball player and student. He is carefree, social, and very funny.

Forged by Fire

Vocabulary

authoritative – dominant; in charge intimidated - afraid

desolation - loneliness regal - proud

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hospitality - friendliness commotion - noisy disturbance

temptation - enticement indulged - enjoyed

sullen – moody; sad bluntly – briefly, abruptly

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grudgingly - unwillingly ordeal – a trying test

enveloped - covering brutes - beast

mystified - perplexed, bewildered, confused

alternated - interchange repeatedly

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proceedings - series of activities assurance - promise

prosecutor - prosecuting attorney filtering - purifying, cleaning

rehabilitated - restored to a condition of good health severity - harshness

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stifling - to withhold curtly - short, rudely brief

agitated - upset, disturbed stability - balance, integrity

incoherently - without meaningful connection ferocity - fury, violence

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engulfed –consumed, swallowed up raspy - rough, croaky