Story Structure

Now that the group have come up with a story idea, we did a worksheet which allowed us to help with story structures. I had to look at the following stories and answer the questions:

The Slave and the Lion

‘A Slave ran away from his master, by whom he had been most cruelly treated, and, in order to avoid capture, betook himself into the desert. As he wandered about in search of food and shelter, he came to a cave, which he entered and found to be unoccupied. Really, however, it was a Lion's den, and almost immediately, to the horror of the wretched fugitive, the Lion himself appeared. The man gave himself up for lost: but, to his utter astonishment, the Lion, instead of springing upon him and devouring him, came and fawned upon him, at the same time whining and lifting up his paw. Observing it to be much swollen and inflamed, he examined it and found a large thorn embedded in the ball of the foot. He accordingly removed it and dressed the wound as well as he could: and in course of time it healed up completely. The Lion's gratitude was unbounded; he looked upon the man as his friend, and they shared the cave for some time together. A day came, however, when the Slave began to long for the society of his fellow-men, and he bade farewell to the Lion and returned to the town. Here he was presently recognised and carried off in chains to his former master, who resolved to make an example of him, and ordered that he should be thrown to the beasts at the next public spectacle in the theatre. On the fatal day the beasts were loosed into the arena, and among the rest a Lion of huge bulk and ferocious aspect; and then the wretched Slave was cast in among them. What was the amazement of the spectators, when the Lion after one glance bounded up to him and lay down at his feet with every expression of affection and delight! It was his old friend of the cave! The audience clamoured that the Slave's life should be spared: and the governor of the town, marvelling at such gratitude and fidelity in a beast, decreed that both should receive their liberty.’

1. Who is the main character in the story? Why?

In this story the main character is the slave this is because the narrative is based around him. The slave also instigates the actions in the story. And also the story is based around the slave how he faced his problems and challenges.

2. What is the difference between the slave at the beginning and the end?

 At the beginning the slave was shown to be a fugitive on the run, looking and searching for freedom.  At the end he has overcome all his problems and seems more confident than at the start. This story shows the journey of the slave, the path he travels and the goals he has achieved.

3. What are the different goals and aims that the Slave has during the course of the story?

<!--[if !supportLists]-->-      <!--[endif]-->Escape from the master

<!--[if !supportLists]-->-      <!--[endif]-->Seek shelter

<!--[if !supportLists]-->-      <!--[endif]-->Give up or get eaten by the lion

<!--[if !supportLists]-->-      <!--[endif]-->The slave wants to help the lion

<!--[if !supportLists]-->-      <!--[endif]-->Wants human company

<!--[if !supportLists]-->-      <!--[endif]-->He wants to survive when ring.

4. Does the story feel finished?

No, the story does not feel finished, as after the long journey and the troubles the slave had to endure. As a reader I want to know what happens after the slave gains his freedom.  

5. What is the story ‘about’? Have the characters learned anything?

Both the lion and slave have learnt about friendship, cruelty, kindness, humanity and beastliness. The slave taught the lion kindness and the lion then returned that kindness.