Literary Elements of the Short Story

A character or force in opposition to the protagonist 

In the beginning of this phase the villain appears to have the upper hand conflict unfolds 

A character who does NOT grow or change throughout the story 

Introduces the protagonist, the setting, the overall conflict, and the inciting incident

The conflict has ended with either the protagonist or antagonist winning

An individual who participates in a literary work

The most important character in a literary work

He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided. 

a character who grows or changes throughout the story when directly engaged in the conflict

The point in the story where the protagonist makes a single big decision that defines him/her

A protagonist's struggle against opposing forces 

less prominent characters who support the plot or reveal qualities about the main character