Crisis

Definition

A crisis is a critical turning point in a story where characters face significant challenges that force them to make difficult decisions or take decisive actions. This moment often leads to the character's transformation or reveals their true nature, serving as a pivotal point in their development. The stakes are high during a crisis, and it often impacts the overall narrative arc, shaping the direction of the plot and the fate of the characters involved.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A crisis can be internal, where a character faces personal dilemmas, or external, involving conflicts with other characters or forces.
2. The resolution of the crisis usually leads to character growth or regression, influencing their arc significantly.
3. In dramatic storytelling, crises often occur near the end of the second act or beginning of the third act, acting as a bridge to the climax.
4. Characters’ reactions during a crisis can reveal their true motivations and values, providing deeper insight into their personalities.
5. Crisis moments can also serve as catalysts for change not only in individual characters but also in the broader story world.

Review Questions

• How does a crisis impact character development within a narrative?
  • A crisis acts as a catalyst for character development by forcing characters to confront significant challenges and make pivotal decisions. This moment reveals their true selves and can lead to personal growth or regression. For example, a character may overcome their fears during a crisis, leading to increased confidence and maturity, while another may succumb to pressure, revealing flaws and insecurities.
• In what ways can internal and external crises differ in their effects on plot progression?
  • Internal crises focus on a character's emotional struggles or moral dilemmas, leading to introspection and transformation. In contrast, external crises often involve conflicts with outside forces or antagonists that push characters into action. Both types are crucial for plot progression but they impact characters differently—internal crises might result in subtle changes while external crises could lead to dramatic shifts in relationships and action within the story.
• Evaluate how effectively resolving a crisis can influence the overall narrative trajectory of a story.
  • Effectively resolving a crisis is crucial because it determines the direction of the story following this pivotal moment. A well-handled resolution can bring about character redemption, new alliances, or even tragic outcomes that shape future events. This resolution influences not only individual character arcs but also sets up subsequent conflicts or themes that drive the narrative forward, impacting audience engagement and emotional investment in the story.

Related terms

Climax:

The climax is the moment of greatest tension in a story, often coinciding with the crisis where the protagonist faces their biggest challenge.

Protagonist:

The protagonist is the main character in a story, often undergoing significant change and development through their experiences, especially during a crisis.

Conflict: Conflict refers to the struggle between opposing forces that drives the plot forward, which often culminates in a crisis point that tests characters' resolve.