The Lot of Plot

Last night, my first born asked me to help him study for his 6th grade reading test. I was perusing his study notes and found that he was covering Plots and Themes within stories. Now I am a big fan of Donald Miller's Million Miles in a Thousand Years (I can't recommend a book more) in which he examines what makes a good story, and how our life story can impact the robustness of our own lives. Therefore, my son was in for some serious study help. If I can remember per my son's study notes, a good story will have the following:

1. The Plot-the overall facts and events within a story
2. An Exposition-the setting of time, characters and place within a story
3. A Conflict-well...a conflict
4. Rising Conflict-escalating events toward a climax
5. A Climax-the culmination of conflict within a story
6. Falling Conflict-a series of events which bring the climax toward conclusion
7. Conclusion-the concluding statement or rationale

Now I know I butchered some of the above but, after all, I am a Dad and perhaps not smarter than a sixth grader.

The we explored Theme-the point the author is trying to make. Both implied theme and obvious theme.

I walked through his study example, then made up my own story—something about two twins who always fought until a fire broke out, then mentioned how the Who's Tommy album (which he and I have listened intently to on long road trips) had all of the above, then read the story of the Prodigal Son, and then revisited the story of the Gospel—from its exposition of the God/Babe in Bethlehem through the rising conflict of the Pharisaic denouncement of Christ's authority, through the climax of crucifiction and resurrection to the conclusion of the sufficiency of sacrifice and salvation with God. All the while with the underlying theme of God providing the vehicle for his children to reunite with Him.

Now the poor kid probably got more than he'd bargained for when he asked me to help him study, but it probably stuck—we'll see.

Not to get too Miller-like, but if we do look for this in our lives—this storyline—the plot—the themes, it makes our mere lives all the more robust. My wife and I were considering this as we were talking on our Anniversary (13 great years) a couple of days ago. We looked back at the hard times, the times when we battle through, or made right decisions, or overcame obstacles. And realize that THIS is where the robustness and energy of life shows up. The plots and themes in our lives—particularly the reoccurring themes—need to be recognized, dealt with, celebrated and remembered.

And they all lived happily ever after....well...sort of....