The 'dragon's lady' archetype often drives the plot by being a force of change. She is usually not content with the status quo. For example, in a historical novel set in a feudal society, she might challenge the traditional roles assigned to women, which then sets off a chain of events. Her actions and decisions can lead to power struggles, as other characters may either oppose or support her. This creates conflict and moves the story forward.
The 'dragon's lady' in a historical novel can bring a sense of mystery and allure to the plot. Her motives may not always be clear, and this keeps the readers guessing. For instance, she might seem to be helping one side in a war for one reason, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that she has her own hidden agenda. This kind of unpredictability makes the plot more engaging and forces the readers to pay closer attention to the details of the story.
The old lady's story may introduce new elements or twists to the plot.
In some cases, the discovery of the dragon skeleton sets off a chain of events. It might attract different factions in the novel - the good guys who want to study it for the betterment of the world, and the bad guys who want to use it for evil purposes. This conflict arising from the skeleton's presence forms the core of the plot.
Archetype characters play a crucial role in the plot of romance novels. For instance, the hero - archetype often drives the action by his pursuit of the heroine. His actions, like rescuing her or fighting for their relationship, move the story forward. The villain - archetype creates conflict, which is essential for any plot. If there was no obstacle, the story would be dull. So, these archetypes are like the gears in a machine that keep the plot running.
Lady Stoneheart's story adds more revenge and chaos to the plot. It shows the consequences of the Red Wedding and keeps the Stark - Frey conflict alive.
Love can act as a motivation for characters. If a character is in love, they might fight for their beloved's safety or freedom. Hate can create obstacles. Characters who hate each other will try to thwart each other's plans, which drives the plot forward.
It can add an emotional element to the plot.
Since I don't know the details of Simonen's novel, I can't say exactly. But it could be that the mallard is a catalyst for some events. For example, a character might follow the mallard and discover something important.
A good plot is like the backbone of a novel. It helps shape the characters' development, adds depth to the story, and makes it stand out among other books. It ensures there's a logical flow and keeps the readers invested throughout.
The setting often plays a crucial role. For instance, in a horror novel set in an old, abandoned mansion, the spooky setting immediately sets a tense mood and can foreshadow bad things to come. It can also limit or enable the actions of the characters. If it's a small, isolated town in a mystery novel, it makes it easier for secrets to be kept and harder for the truth to be discovered.
The Shimerda family is central to the plot. Their struggles as new settlers introduce various themes. Mr. Shimerda's death, for example, is a turning point. It affects Antonia deeply and leads to her having to take on more responsibilities. This in turn impacts her relationship with the other characters and the overall direction of the story. Also, the family's attempts to adapt to the new environment create a lot of the story's action and conflict.