“3C – PIST” Fiction Analysis
PCICSCT
Protagonist
Who does the most action or the most important actions?
Consider who is introduced first and/or who is introduced last. Also consider the
title.
Conflict
What is the protagonist’s struggle throughout the story?
Write it as a statement (so and so struggles with doing such and such). Categorize
it (person vs. ?).
Inciting Incident
Where is the struggle first mentioned? (usually within the
first four paragraphs of a short story)
Crisis/Climax
What is the last important choice the protagonist makes? (crisis) It
must lead to the resolution of the conflict. (climax)
Symbols
What is the most repeated/important object/image? How is it
used? What effect does it have? How do the characters feel about it? Consider
the title.
Characters
Who opposes the protagonist in his/her struggle? What is the purpose
of every other character? How does the audience feel towards them? What
function do they serve in the plot? Consider the significance of names.
Theme
What message is being delivered about the main concept symbolized?
Consider the other characters’ purposes, the conflict, and crisis. Craft a theme
statement that follows the five theme statement rules.
(3C – PIST Template)
“Voodoo”
Fredric Brown
Protagonist
Mrs. Decker; she says more than twice as many lines as her
husband; she is the first and last character mentioned; she does the most important
action – tries to kill her husband, but actually kills herself.
Conflict
Mrs. Decker struggles to get half of the money and property (by
struggling to convince her husband that voodoo is real).
Person vs. Person
Inciting Incident
first sentence, third paragraph; Mrs. Decker argues for half
of the money and property.
Crisis/Climax
third last paragraph; Mrs. Decker stabs the wax effigy; this is
the last choice she makes, and it is important because it kills her; because she
dies, her struggle is resolved.
Symbols
Wax effigy = voodoo
Hatpin = death
Hair = irony
Characters
Mr. Decker is the antagonist, because he opposes his wife’s
struggle to get half of everything, and the catalyst, because he leads the
protagonist to the climax/crisis.
Theme
Using power for selfish means may usually be dangerous.
(3C – PIST Template)
“Solipsist”
Fredric Brown
Protagonist
Walter B. Jehovah; he is the first and last character mentioned; he does the most
important actions; the title also refers to him.
Conflict
Walter B. Jehovah struggles with the consequences of practicing solipsism.
Person vs. Self
Inciting Incident
first sentence, second paragraph; Walter B. Jehovah becomes a practicing
solipsist.
Crisis/Climax
second last sentence; Walter B. Jehovah creates heaven and earth; it is the last
choice he makes towards resolving his conflict.
Symbols
none; but the concept of solipsism acts as a metaphor for divinity—and perhaps,
by extension, absurdity; therefore, Walter B. Jehovah becomes a representation of
God.
(solipsism = divinty
Jehovah = God)
Characters
The voice is the catalyst, because it leads Jehovah to his crisis.
Theme
The human perception of God may not be as “divine” as imagined.
(3C – PIST Template)
“Identities”
W.D. Valgardson
Protagonist
The unshaven Man; he is the first and last character mentioned, the story follows
his actions, and the title applies—in part—to him.
Conflict
The unshaven Man struggles to reclaim a sense of identity.
Person vs. Self
Inciting Incident
first sentence, first paragraph; the unshaven Man goes into his front yard
unshaven—an action which is unique for him .
Crisis/Climax
the last sentence of the story; when he reaches towards his wallet, he makes the
last choice of the story, which is significant as it is his last voluntary movement
ever; furthermore, it is an attempt to resolve the conflict that ironically does so.
Symbols
Houses = identities/the lack thereof; danger/safety
Car = individuality/misperception/affluence
Beard = personal identity/misperception
Characters
The officer is an antagonist because he prevents the protagonist from successfully
resolving his conflict; he is also a catalyst because he leads the protagonist to his crisis.
The young men emphasize the appeal of group identities and reinforce a sense of danger.
The girl reveals a sense of identity the unshaven man wishes to reclaim and acts as a
distraction from the real threat he faces. The man on the steps emphasizes how clothing
and accessories form our superficial identities.
Theme
When one allows one’s identity to get lost, it may not be possible to ever reclaim
it.