Category: English 11

Exposition

The intro to the story starts off when Eckels sees the ad for time travel, the poster kickstarts the story and leads to Eckels deciding to travel back in time. Also sets up the plot for as it suggests hunting a prehistoric animal.

Rising Action 1

“Safety catches off, everyone!” ordered Travis. “You, first shot, Eckels. Second, Billings, Third,Kramer.” Pg.5 

The rising action to the story starts off when the group of Eckels, billings, and Kramer prepare for the T-Rex.  They prepare by readying their weapons and following Travis’s orders.

 

Rising Action 2

“The Monster, at the first motion, ran forward with a terrible scream. It covered one hundred yards in six seconds.” Pg.6 

The rising action continues when they spot the T-Rex, the T-Rex is running towards the time travellers leading directly into the main event of the dinosaur being shot.

 

Climax

“The rifles lifted and fired. The Monster roared, teeth shining in the sun, and the smell of old blood that came from its mouth was all around them.” Pg.6

Billings, Kramer and the crem members kill the T-Rex. This was the climax because the story had been leading up to this point through rising action. The events prior lead up to the killing of the T-Rex as the main event in the story.

Falling Action

“Go out on that Path alone,” said Travis. He had his rifle pointed, “You’re not coming back in the Machine. We’re leaving you here!”Pg.7

This took place right after the killing of the T-Rex. After Eckels steps off the path, Travis is enraged and threatens to leave Eckels behind. This is the falling action because it takes place right after the climax

Denouement

This is  the conclusion as the mistakes of Eckles lead to the butterfly affect changing the future. The story finishes off with the changes in presidency as well as the change in spelling of words.

 Physical Setting

“The Machine sat in the ancient jungle. Distant bird cries blew on a wind. There was the smell of wet

grass and an old salt sea. There were huge flowers on the trees the color of blood.” Pg.2

 

The story takes place in a jungle, similar to this one as there are large trees and mountains.

 

Emotional Setting 

“Stop that!” said Travis. “Don’t even point your gun at something for fun, you fool! If your guns should go off…” Pg.4 

The emotional setting is very tense in the short story, as one minor mistake can send a butterfly effect that may alter the future. Showcased by the aggressive language used by Travis in the story.

Conflict Type

“The jungle was alive again, full of the old movements and bird cries. Eckels turned slowly to look at the hill of nightmares and fear.” Pg.8

The conflict type in the story was person vs environment and person vs person. As there were battles between Travis and Eckels when Eckels was pushing his luck. It is also person vs environment as the environment around them could possibly kill them , if not it could alter the future events.

Ending type

“He did not move. Eyes shut, he waited, shivering. He heard Travis breathe loudly. He heard Travis lift his rifle, click the safety catch, and raise the weapon. There was a sound of thunder.” Pg.10

The ending type is unresolved as the reader would not be certain if it Travis shot Eckels. The story leaves more to be explored and does not tie all loose ends.

Irony Example

“I didn’t think it would be this big,” said Eckels. “I made a mistake, that’s all. And now I want out.” Pg. 6 

This example of irony is situational, as one would expect that Eckels would know how large a T-Rex is especially considering how he has travelled back in time before.

 

Suspense

“Correct. Destroying certain plants could have an effect too small to be seen now. But it could add up bit by bit over sixty million years into a major change. Of course, all this may be wrong.” Pg.3

The suspense in the story is mostly high stakes, as one wrong move could send a butterfly effect and affect the future. As seen in the short story, the spelling of words ended up changing.

Characterization 

“Eckels seemed unable to move. He looked at his feet as if trying to make them walk. He gave a cry of helplessness” Pg.6

The short story uses indirect characterization, as it gives the reader clues as to what characters are feeling. One may see Eckels as fearful and nervous in some scenes.