The Tale of “Godfather Death”

What Makes It a Tale?

The Tale of “Godfather Death”What Makes It a Tale?

The Tale of “Godfather Death”What makes it a Tale?

LACK OF DETAIL – Compared to modern short stories, the characters of the father, son, king, princess, and even Death himself seem hardly more than stick figures.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”What makes it a Tale?

ELEMENTS OF THE SUPERNATURAL – In the world of this fable, God, the Devil and Death walk along the highway.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”What makes it a Tale?

HEAVY RELIANCE ON SUMMARY (e.g. – “It was not long before the young man was the most famous doctor in the whole world.”)

The Tale of “Godfather Death”What makes it a Tale?

THERE IS A CLEAR MORAL – Most of the time when the characters break some law or code of ethics, bad things happen to them.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”Nevertheless, this tale has the elements of a compelling story :

The Tale of “Godfather Death”DRAMATIC SITUATION – a person is involved in some conflict.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”DRAMATIC SITUATION – a person is involved in some conflict. In this fable, this character is a poor man with children to feed, in conflict with the world; soon he is conflict with God and the Devil besides.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”EXPOSITION – the opening portion of the story that introduces the characters and tells us everything we need to know to understand the story.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”EXPOSITION – In this fable the exposition is brief, but it tells us of the father’s plight and his bargain with Death.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”PROTAGONIST – The character who moves the story forward.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”PROTAGONIST – In this fable the protagonist is Death’s godson who strives to battle with Death over the king and the princess.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”ANTOGONIST – Character who goes

against the protagonist.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”ANTOGONIST – In this tale, the antagonist is obviously Death. Even though we know that the godson or doctor has little chance against such a supernatural force, we are still curious about the outcome of the fable.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”FORSHADOWING – an indication of events to come in the story.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”FORSHADOWING – In this story there are foreshadowings apparent in Death’s warnings. (“But if you try such a thing again, it will be your neck.”)

The Tale of “Godfather Death”CRISIS – a moment of high tension in the story.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”CRISIS – In this story there are several moments of crisis. The doctor defies Death for the first time, but gets away with saving the king. Then the doctor defies Death again to save the princess and this creates another crisis.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”CLIMAX – The moment of greatest tension at which the outcome of the story is to be decided.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”CLIMAX – In the fable the climax occurs when the terrified doctor begs for a new candle. Will Death grant him one? Will he live? Will he become king and marry the princess?

The Tale of “Godfather Death”RESOLUTION / DENOUEMENT – The conclusion of the story or the tying up of the loose ends of the story.

The Tale of “Godfather Death”RESOLUTION / DENOUEMENT – In this tale the resolution is swift. Death deliberately fumbles with the candle and allows it to go out.