You can identify a canonical story by looking at its influence. If a story has influenced a large number of other works, it's probably canonical. For instance, 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley has influenced countless horror and science - fiction stories. Its themes of creation, hubris, and the consequences of playing God have been repeated in many other works. Also, if a story is often studied in academic settings, it's a sign of its canonical status.
To identify a canonical story, consider its cultural significance. A story that is deeply ingrained in a culture's identity is likely to be canonical. For example, in Chinese culture, the story of the Monkey King from 'Journey to the West' is canonical. It represents important values such as courage, loyalty, and the fight against oppression. Another aspect is the timelessness of the story. Canonical stories often transcend the time period in which they were created and remain relevant today. If a story can still be related to and understood by modern audiences despite being created long ago, it has a good chance of being canonical.
One way to identify a canonical story is by its prevalence. If it's been told and retold many times across different cultures or mediums, it's likely canonical. For example, the story of King Arthur has been told in numerous books, movies, and even video games.
To identify canonical works in books and novels, first check for long - term popularity. Books that have remained popular for generations, like 'Jane Eyre', are often canonical. Then, look at the influence the work has had on other writers. A canonical novel will inspire other authors to write in a similar style or explore related themes. Another factor is the critical consensus. If most literary critics over a long period consider a work to be of high quality and importance, it's likely part of the canon. Also, the work's cultural impact matters. If it has become deeply ingrained in a culture's literary heritage, like 'Don Quixote' in Spanish literature, it is canonical.
One can start by looking at the characters. Figure out their motives, desires, and how they change throughout the story. For example, in 'A&P' by John Updike, Sammy's decision to quit his job shows his character development.
By looking at the main characters' goals. If a character is constantly seeking love, then love might be a theme.
The climax is often the most intense or exciting part. It's where the main conflict reaches its peak. For example, in a detective story, it might be when the detective finally uncovers the real killer. You can look for the moment of highest tension or the turning point that changes everything in the story.
You can identify the climax by finding the part where the main character faces the biggest challenge or the moment when the most important decision is made. For instance, in a love story, it could be when the couple decides whether to stay together or part ways in a very difficult situation.
The theme of the story can be identified by analyzing the conflicts. If the main conflict is between a character and society, the theme might be about the individual vs. the collective. Another way is to look at the ending. If it's a happy ending where the good guys win, the theme could be about justice prevailing. In general, it's about finding the underlying message that the author is trying to convey through the plot, characters, and setting.
One can identify a theme in a story by looking at the repeated ideas, values, or messages. For example, if a story constantly mentions the importance of friendship and characters' relationships are centered around being good friends, friendship might be a theme.
Identifying the moral of the story isn't always easy. First, consider the protagonist's journey. What did they learn? If they learned to be more patient and it led to a positive result, that could be part of the moral. Next, analyze the conflicts in the story. If the conflict was between good and evil and good prevailed because of certain virtues like courage and justice, then those virtues are likely part of the moral. Also, look at the narrator's tone. If the narrator seems to be emphasizing certain values throughout the story, that's a clue to the moral. For instance, if the story keeps highlighting the importance of family and how characters who value family are happier, the moral could be related to family values.
To identify the elements of a story, first look for the characters. They are usually easy to spot as they are the ones doing things in the story. Then, find the setting which is often described at the start. The plot is the chain of events that happen. Conflict can be seen when characters face difficulties. And the theme can be inferred from the overall message.
One can identify the tone of a story by looking at the author's word choice. For example, if the author uses a lot of positive adjectives like 'wonderful' and 'amazing', the tone might be positive. Also, the way the characters interact and the events that unfold can give clues. If there are a lot of sad events and characters are constantly in distress, the tone could be melancholic.