Plot as a technique - Help!! (1 Viewer)

[townie]

Okay, this one has been bothering me for ages, in English we always crap on about metaphors and what not, but in a book for instance, can the actual plot line be a technique, if the plot obviously deals with a particular thing (for instance journeys), and if so what is that "technique" called, i hate reaching out for techniques when i can just say, this text is about such and such, and deals with such and such, because it says so right there, it's in the book/film/etc.

 

[anti]

Okay, this one has been bothering me for ages, in English we always crap on about metaphors and what not, but in a book for instance, can the actual plot line be a technique, if the plot obviously deals with a particular thing (for instance journeys), and if so what is that "technique" called, i hate reaching out for techniques when i can just say, this text is about such and such, and deals with such and such, because it says so right there, it's in the book/film/etc.

Do you have a more specific example?

A plot can certainly be a technique. Take for example the typical 'rite of passage' story in which a person grows and changes usually because of a catalytic event, or the 'cinderella story' (similar thing really) in which an 'ugly duckling' becomes a 'beautiful swan' etc etc.

HOWEVER! Before you go off writing about the plot - make sure you do not retell the story. Use it as you would any other technique, go into specifics about the way the plot has been captured but do not go into specifics about the plot (unless you are focusing on characterisation or a comparative study).

eg. Incorrect usage.
"The rambling journey of Huck Finn in the novel of the same name explores the rite of passage of Huckleberry as he journeys down the river with his friend Jim. At first Huck treats Jim like a slave; when they are on the island he orders Jim around [ed. i'm making this up, I haven't read Twain in over two years] and when they get the treasure from the wrecked ferry Jim helps Huck out..."

Better usage.
"The Fast And The Furious is a perfect example of a pop culture mishmash of stereotyped characters, simple plotlines, and special effects. The development of the plot follows predictable, familiar twists and turns; the characters fail to develop beyond the stereotypes of Good Guy, Bad Guy Turned Good, and Hot Sexy Young Female Icon. The 'road trip' story is emphasised by continuous movement of road machines: hotted up cars form the stable, but shallow basis upon which the 'betrayal' and 'impossible romance' plotlines are built..."


HTH.

 

[malkin86]

Is the genre of something a technique?

 

[anti]

No, although genre can be subverted as a technique.

Specific techniques OF a genre are techniques Film noir springs to mind instantly.

 

[silvermoon]

generally speaking, 'plot' is not referred to as a technique, but rather as a feature of the narrative genre. you need to be more specific if you wish to use this. for example, if, like anti suggested, the plot of the text was the typical cinderelle or ugly duckling etc. storyline then you could talk about how the composer uses fairytale archetypes which then gives you the added technique of intertextuality. many things are techniques - we just often fail to recognise them. for instance, when you say 'if the plot is obviously...' ask yourself what makes it so obvious that the plot is about journeys? generally speaking, the 'what' will be linked to a technique.