While it’s true that a play looks different from a novel or short story, their ways of constructing a plot are very similar. Just as in a story, a play’s characters face and resolve a conflict. Along the way, the main character changes and grows.
Do you remember what kinds of events occur in each stage of a story’s plot? Read each of the event descriptions in the activity below. Then, select the plot stage that it belongs to.
Skye and Gram resist eating the broccoli that Mama served.
This event happens in Scene 1, when the audience is just getting to know the characters.
This event happens in Scene 1, when the audience is just getting to know the characters.
This event happens in Scene 1, when the audience is just getting to know the characters.
Arwen and Callen convince Skye to come home with them.
This event happens after Skye leaves the house without her mother’s permission. The conflict is clear, and Skye is taking steps toward greater independence from her mother.
This event happens after Skye leaves the house without her mother’s permission. The conflict is clear, and Skye is taking steps toward greater independence from her mother.
This event happens after Skye leaves the house without her mother’s permission. The conflict is clear, and Skye is taking steps toward greater independence from her mother.
The three children travel to Arwen and Callen’s home.
This part of the play continues to build tension as the audience wonders where Skye is actually going, and what will happen to her there.
This part of the play continues to build tension as the audience wonders where Skye is actually going, and what will happen to her there.
This part of the play continues to build tension as the audience wonders where Skye is actually going, and what will happen to her there.
Skye happily eats the cake that Arwen offers for dinner.
At Arwen’s and Callen’s house, Skye can eat whatever she wants―even cake for dinner. She doesn’t have to ask for her mother’s permission but is free to decide for herself.
At Arwen’s and Callen’s house, Skye can eat whatever she wants―even cake for dinner. She doesn’t have to ask for her mother’s permission but is free to decide for herself.
At Arwen’s and Callen’s house, Skye can eat whatever she wants―even cake for dinner. She doesn’t have to ask for her mother’s permission but is free to decide for herself.
Skye decides it is time for her to go home to Mama and Gram.
This is the plot’s turning point―when Skye realizes that she’s had enough of absolute freedom and wants to go home and follow her mother’s sensible rules.
This is the plot’s turning point―when Skye realizes that she’s had enough of absolute freedom and wants to go home and follow her mother’s sensible rules.
This is the plot’s turning point―when Skye realizes that she’s had enough of absolute freedom and wants to go home and follow her mother’s sensible rules.
Mama seems to recognize the toys and cloak that Skye brought home.
This event happens near the end of the play, which provides a big clue about its role in the plot. The toys and cloak remind Mama of how she thought and behaved as a child, which helps resolve her conflict with Skye.
This event happens near the end of the play, which provides a big clue about its role in the plot. The toys and cloak remind Mama of how she thought and behaved as a child, which helps resolve her conflict with Skye.
This event happens near the end of the play, which provides a big clue about its role in the plot. The toys and cloak remind Mama of how she thought and behaved as a child, which helps resolve her conflict with Skye.
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Question
What question is left unanswered at the end of the play?
