Examples of Knot or Development

He knot or development is the part of a narrative text in which the conflict or the central problem of the plot occurs.

Narrative texts, such as stories, the novels, the legends and the fables, have a structure consisting of:

• Introduction or start. The characters, places, context and normality of the plot are presented. It is usually at the beginning of the text.
• knot or development. An event that breaks with the normality of the plot is introduced and the most important events are mentioned. It is usually in the middle of the text and it is the most interesting part, because there is an intrigue or an obstacle that generates tension.
• Outcome. Reference is made to events that make it possible to solve the problem of the knot or of the development and return to the normality of the introduction or a new situation of stability is produced. It is usually at the end of the text, but in some cases it is not incorporated, because the story does not end.

In addition, the knot or development involves the protagonists and, in many cases, other characters, because they must carry out different actions to resolve the conflict.

On some occasions, narrative texts can begin in media res, that is, they begin with the knot. In other cases, they do not include development, because they are linear stories that do not have major changes in the plot.

• See also: Short stories with beginning, middle and end

Examples of knot or development

Peter and the wolf

• Introduction or start:

Once upon a time there was a boy named Pedro who lived with his family in the countryside and who was a shepherd, so he took care of caring for and feeding the sheep.

In the prairies where Pedro worked, it was very common for wolves to appear looking for food and if a person saw any of these animals, he used to ask his neighbors for help.

• knot or development:

One day Pedro took the sheep to the field and, as he was very bored, he decided to make a joke: he began to yell that he had seen a wolf, even though there really wasn't one.

Neighbors and rural workers approached the place where the screams came from, but when they arrived, they saw that Pedro was laughing out loud. They told him that he couldn't make those kinds of jokes, because everyone had worried a lot.

The next day, the boy repeated the joke and the people who went to help him challenged him again. The days passed, Pedro continued doing the same tasks, but he was getting more and more bored.

One afternoon the boy was taking care of his sheep as always, suddenly he heard a howl, saw that an animal was approaching through the meadow, he did not hesitate for a minute and began to shout: “Help! There is a wolf! Aid! Please!"

• Outcome:

The people who were nearby believed that it was the usual joke and did not go to help the boy, who managed to escape from the ferocious animal, but he could not prevent it from attacking three of his sheep.

This is how Pedro learned that he did not have to tell lies and that it was not good to deceive people.

The fox and the grapes

• Introduction or start:

In the forest lived a fox that ate all kinds of food. It was summer and, although food was always abundant at this time, the fox spent many hours without being able to get a bite.

• knot or development:

The fox walked further and further from her den until suddenly she saw a vine that had a bunch of grapes that was very high.

The fox started to jump to grab the bunch with her mouth, but she didn't make it. She kept trying several times, but she always failed. Then he thought it would be a good idea to climb the tree, but when she wanted to do it, she slipped.

• Outcome:

Finally, the fox gave up and decided to continue walking and looking for food in another area.

The lion and the mosquito

• Introduction or start:

In the African savannah lived a lion who believed that he was the strongest and most intelligent animal of all. One day the cat was sleeping peacefully until the buzzing of a mosquito woke him up.

• knot or development:

"Why did you wake me up?" asked the lion.

"Because I wanted to show you that I am stronger than you," replied the mosquito.

"No one is stronger than me."

"I'm going to prove it to you."

—I'm going to continue sleeping and ask you to retire.

The lion lay down and the mosquito began to bite him.

-You see? I attack you and you can't stop me," said the mosquito.

"Yes, I can stop you. I am the king of the jungle," said the lion.

The insect continued to sting the cat, which was unable to catch its attacker and eventually gave up.

• Outcome:

The mosquito, happy for his triumph, began to mock the lion and approached a tree, but suddenly realized that he could not move, because he had been trapped by a spider web. At that moment, the insect thought that he had defeated the king of the jungle, but that he had been defeated by another being.

Interactive test to practice

Follow with:

• Introduction, knot and outcome
• Elements of the narrative
• Difference Between Short Story and Novel
• Latin American stories
• types of stories
• character types

References

• Leon, E. (2009). Towards a characterization of the experiential component in the narrative discourse addressed to children. Letters, 51(78), 275-307. Available in: heaven
• Ministry of Education and Training (Spain). (2010). Introduction to literary genres: theory and exercises. Technical General Secretariat.