Kishōtenketsu Example
An interesting Western example to apply the Kishōtenketsu story structure to is Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour (1894). In Chopin’s short story, considered unconventional when published, the reader becomes an intimate witness to Louise’s inner emotional struggle upon learning that she has been widowed by a train wreck. As she regains her composure and even acceptance of her new situation, the twist is revealed:
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1. Introduction |
Louise hears that her husband died in a train crash. |
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2. Development |
Louise comes to terms with the death and pictures a less constricted future for herself. |
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3. Twist |
Louise’s husband walks in the front door. |
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4. Conclusion |
Louise falls down dead. |
Stages
The four basic stages of the Kishōtenketsu story structure are:
1. Introduction (Ki) Description of characters and/or place. Create the setting of the story. 2. Development (Sho) Description of event(s) that lead to the twist. Major... | Example
An interesting Western example to apply the Kishōtenketsu story structure to is Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour (1894). In Chopin’s short story, considered unconventional when published, the reader becomes an intimate witness to Louise’s inner emotional struggle upon learning that she...
| Learning Applications
When to apply this structure:
To recognize or use this structure, look for a series of seemingly unrelated events that are suddenly tied together by a plot twist. Often the feeling a Western reader or viewer has when unknowingly encountering Kishōtenketsu is mild confusion or... |
