The Essence of Story

Final Exam - Beginner

By Chris Mallory

©1999 Chris Mallory

3) Final analysis:

  1. Unjust antagonist has control over protagonist (or protagonist believes that antagonist has control over him/her).
  2. Others seek protagonist's aid in destroying antagonist. Protagonist goes along with them but feels powerless to change the situation.
  3. Antagonist harms something/someone protagonist feels deeply about.
  4. Protagonist, feeling he/she no longer has anything to lose, gathers allies and challenges antagonist.
  5. Protagonist and allies defeat antagonist. Protagonist learns that he/she is not powerless after all.

EXTRA CREDIT: After rescuing a stranger, a young woman finds herself swept along in the struggle to free her land from a tyrant.

5) Scenes from Chapter One:

  1. Marta kept her eyes focused on the horse's legs. He was a handsome animal despite the vicious scars that marred his chest and sides. She avoided looking at the man that sat on his back.
  2. Beside her, Striker growled softly. As Lord Jehan swung down from the saddle, the growls deepened, became more menacing.
  3. "Silence your cur, girl, or my men will," he snapped, gesturing at the riders behind him. Marta placed her hand lightly on the mastiff's rigid back and the growls subsided again.
  4. "I've heard you and yours are off to the horse markets, Hugh," said Lord Jehan. His tone was light and friendly, though his eyes were icy.
  5. "We leave in two days time for the Trahill market, my lord," answered Marta's grandfather. "We go every fall."
  6. "Yes. Yes, of course, you do. Sell horses, buy horses, catch up on the gossip and all that." Lord Jehan glanced about the encampment, taking in the signs of their packing. "You're not worried about being waylaid by thieves or some such? Your granddaughters are lovely. These are dangerous times, you know." His gaze rested on Marta.
  7. Marta stiffened slightly and struggled to keep her face impassive. The only thieves we need to worry about are you and your men, she thought. And we haven't the means to do anything against the likes of you.
  8. "The road to Trahill has never been known for thieves, but we will be careful," Hugh answered politely. Marta noticed his fists were tightly clenched. He added, "I thank you for your concern, my lord."
  9. "Still," Jehan said, "if you should happen to see any strangers on your journey I'd like to know about it. And perhaps while you're traveling you could keep your ears and eyes open for any interesting bits of news that might come your way. I'd pay well for useful information." He laid his hand on the pouch fastened to his belt.
  10. Marta could hardly believe her ears. You take our best horses, murder our friends and now you want us to be your spies?
  11. "There are always strangers in the towns during market days," answered Hugh, "but common people know nothing that could be of interest to a man like yourself, my lord." He shook his head slowly.
  12. "Still," Jehan gave them a thin-lipped smile, "it would be such a shame if something happened to your granddaughters." He shrugged and turned to mount his horse. "Especially if it could have been prevented by a word in the right ear."

    13. ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨

  13. "Striker. Come on, boy, let's go." Marta called as she pulled her horse to a halt. She wrapped her old woolen cloak tighter about her shoulders while she waited for the big dog to catch up. The sun had cleared the treetops a scant two hours before and there was still a nip in the air.
  14. The mastiff ignored her. He continued digging at the tangle of brambles, whining softly. Must have found a rabbit, she thought.
  15. "Striker! Come!" The whining became punctuated with soft, excited woofing; the pawing a bit more frantic. The bay yearling she led tugged on the rope and tried to drop his head to the grass. Marta gave the rope enough slack so he could graze. She twisted in the saddle to look back at the dog.
  16. "Striker!"
  17. He didn't even look in her direction.
  18. "Oh, alright." She sighed as she straightened again. "I'll chase the rabbit out for you." She let go the lead rope as her foot slid from the stirrup. Marta dismounted with ease, then dropped Fancy's reins to the ground. The mare was too well trained to wander off and the colt would stay close to her. Tucking a loose strand of hair back under her cap, Marta walked back to the thick brush.
  19. "Well, what have you found this time? A whole nest of rabbits?" she asked the dog. Striker lifted his head briefly and nosed his mistress's hand. He gave his tail a quick wag and then turned his attention back to the thorny brambles.
  20. Wrapping her hand in the hem of her cloak, Marta grabbed a handful of branches and gave them a shake. No movement came from within. Marta pushed aside some branches with her foot. Still no movement.
  21. "Striker, are you sure there's something in..."her voice died away as she caught sight of a piece of ragged brown cloth. She leaned closer, peering through the small serrated leaves. Something wasn't hiding among the thorns; someone was. Marta was staring at the sole of a boot.

6) Outline of story:

1/4 point: Marta agrees to help Bernard, the young man she found, rejoin the band of rebels. Jehan comes looking for an escapee from his castle. Mountains surround the castle and the only clear escape route would be through the pass where Marta's family is camped. No one could cross the mountains during the autumn and survive. Marta and family deny seeing anything unusual. Jehan is suspicious - he kills the dog as a warning.

1/2 point: When they arrive at the horse market, Marta leaves Trahill with Bernard. One of Jehan's spies tells him about the stranger he had seen with Marta. Jehan arrives at Trahill and questions Marta's grandfather and cousin. They refuse to tell him anything, so he kills them. Marta hears of this and is crushed - she now has no family at all.

3/4 point: Marta is determined to see Jehan pay for the murders of her family. Although she has no skill with weapons or fighting, Marta decides to use what she does have - knowledge of the countryside she had traveled her whole life. She maps the countryside, plans ambushes, and tells the rebels of a hidden way into the castle.

Ending: Marta and friends make it into the castle. She confronts Jehan and kills him.