RISING ACTION Meaning and
Definition
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Rising action, in literary terms, refers to the sequence of events or incidents that unfold after the initial exposition and before reaching the climax of a story or narrative. It is an essential element of plot development in literature, typically found in fictional works such as novels, short stories, or plays.
During the rising action, the story's tension and conflict begin to build as the characters face obstacles, challenges, or conflicts that propel the plot forward. These events gradually intensify and create anticipation, leading the audience or reader closer to the story's climax. The rising action often includes character development, introduces new conflicts, reveals important facts or information, and contributes to the overall narrative arc.
In this phase, the protagonist often encounters various obstacles or undergoes a series of trials that test their resolve, skills, or beliefs. These challenges allow the story to progress by revealing more about the characters, their motives, and the world they inhabit. The rising action also serves to capture the audience's or reader's attention and engage them in the narrative, building suspense and setting the stage for the story's ultimate resolution.
Overall, rising action serves as a vital component of storytelling, providing a significant bridge between exposition and climax, and contributing to the overall structure and development of a narrative.
Common Misspellings for RISING ACTION
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Etymology of RISING ACTION
The term "rising action" originates from the field of dramatic literature and has its roots in ancient Greek theater practices. The word "rising" refers to something that is increasing or growing, while "action" pertains to events or occurrences within a story. In Greek drama, particularly tragedies, there was a structural component known as "anagnorisis" which referred to the moment of recognition or discovery, often leading to a climactic event. The "rising action" came to represent the sequence of events leading up to the anagnorisis, where tension and conflict build up, gradually increasing the complexity of the plot. This concept was later adopted and popularized by Aristotle in his book "Poetics", where he analyzed dramatic structure and identified the "rising action" as part of the five-act structure commonly used in classical Greek and later Renaissance theater.
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