Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

86 | Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

D. How are the characters tested, and what choices do they make? E. How do the characters grow or decline (rise or fall) in the story?

III. Watch for the author’s POINT-OF-VIEW and VOICE. A. Note the author’s comments about the characters and events. 1. Attitude (positive, negative, or neutral) 2. Judgment (negative or affirmative) 3. Conclusion (summarizing, absent, closure?) B. Consider what voice the story is being written in: 1. The Omniscient narrator (the Holy Spirit)

2. The First-person testimonial 3. The Third-person narrator

IV. Detect the PLOT DEVELOPMENT within the story. A. Note the exact order and details of the events and actions. B. Note also how the story begins, develops, and ends. C. Ask and answer questions about the actual plot. 1. Why did the events happen as they did? 2. Why did the characters respond as they did? 3. Could they have done things in a different manner? D. Use John Legget’s elements of story. 1. Doormat — the intro of the story 2. Complications — Conflicts, problems, issues, threats

3. Climax — Peak and turning point of the action 4. Denouement — How the story resolves itself 5. End — Finis!