Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
The “complication axis” of a Freytag graph represents the
informa-
tional attributes
of each dramatic incident. An incident that raises ques-
tions (e.g., the kidnapping of the heroine) is part of the rising action; one
that answers questions (e.g., the confession of the villain) is part of the
falling action. However, Freytag's analysis was overly simplistic; each
dramatic incident may raise some questions and answer others, and the
questions themselves may vary in importance to the plot. Freytag's pri-
mary contribution was to provide the beginnings of a visual representa-
tion of the shape of dramatic action.
More sophisticated Freytag-style graphs have been developed as tools
for dramatic analysis. Each incident is represented as a line segment, the
slope
of which is derived from the relationship of the informational attri-
butes of the incident (i.e., questions asked and answered) to its duration;
for instance, a steep upward slope represents a good deal of complication
in a short amount of time. We will use the following dramatic incident as
an example.
A group of strangers have been invited by an anonymous person to
spend the weekend in a remote mansion. During the night, one of the group
(Brown) has disappeared. Some of the remaining characters are gathered in
the drawing room, expressing concern and alarm. The butler (James) enters
and announces that Brown has been found (see Figure 3.4).
JAMES:
I'm affraid I have some rather shocking news.
SMITH:
Spit it out, man.
NANCY:
Yes, can't you see my nerves are absolutely shot? If you have any
information at all, you must give it to us at once.
JAMES:
It's about Mr. Brown.
SMITH:
Well?
JAMES:
We've just found him on the beach.
SMITH:
Thank heavens. Then he's all right.
JAMES:
I'm afraid not, sir.
SMITH:
What's that?
JAMES:
Actually, he's quite dead, sir.
NANCY:
Good God! What happened?
JAMES:
He appears to have drowned.
SMITH:
That's absurd, man. Brown was a first-class swimmer.
Figure 3.4.
A sample dramatic incident
