Having observed the general characteristics of the narrative contained in the plot, let us examine the structure of a few tales to see:  What is the main theme of the plot and how it works itself out; what are the large, leading episodes, and how they culminate in the climax; and what is the conclusion, and how closely it follows the climax.

The Story of Three Pigs

I. Introduction.  Time.  Place.  Characters:  Mother and
Three Pigs.  Mother gone.

II. Rise.

1.  First Pig’s venture with a man with a load of straw. 
Builds a straw house. (Wolf enters.)
Wolf comes and destroys him.

2.  Second Pig’s venture with a man with a load of furze. 
Builds a furze house. 
Wolf comes and destroys him.

3.  Third Pig’s venture with a man with a load of bricks. 
Builds a brick house. 
Wolf comes. (Climax.)

III. Conclusion.  Third Pig outwits the Wolf. 
At the turnip-field in Mr. Smith’s home-field. 
At the apple tree in Merry-Garden. 
At the fair at Shanklin. 
At his own brick house.

Evidently the climax here is when the Wolf comes to the third Pig’s brick house.  After that things take a turn; and the final test of strength and cleverness comes at the very end of the tale, at Little Pig’s brick house.

Grimm’s Briar Rose is a model of structure and easily separates itself into ten large episodes.

Briar Rose

     1. The Introduction.

     2.  The Christening Feast.
        (a) The Fairies and their gifts.
        (b) The wicked Fairy and her curse.

     3.  The King’s decree.

     4.  Princess Rose’s birthday.
        (a) Princess Rose’s visit to the old tower.
        (b) Princess Rose and the wicked Fairy spinning.
        (c) The magic sleep.

     5.  The hedge of briars.

     6.  The Prince and the old Man.

     7.  The Prince and the opening hedge.

     8.  The Prince in the castle. (Climax.)

     9.  The awakening.

    10.  The wedding. (Conclusion.)

The climax here is the Prince’s awakening kiss.  The blossoming of the hedge into roses prepares for the climax; and the conclusion—­the awakening of all the life of the castle and the wedding—­follow immediately after.

(3) Setting.  The third element of the short-story that is essential to its power and charm is setting.  The setting is the circumstances or events which surround the characters and action.  The setting occupies a much more important place in the tale than we realize, for it is the source of a variety of sensations and feelings which it may arouse.  It gives the poetic or artistic touch to a tale.  In the old tale the setting is given often in a word or two which act like magic, to open to our eyes a whole vision of associations.