A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a novel. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and help students develop greater understanding of literary structures.
Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a novel with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell have students create a scene that follows the novel in sequence using; Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
Set in Paris, France in 1880. A young middle-class woman dreams of a lifestyle far beyond her reach. One day, her husband comes home with tickets to attend a very affluent party, and she is excited to attend, but upset that she will look dowdy.
Mathilde Loisel is not wealthy, yet she dreams to be. Her husband gives her money to buy a dress, but she is not satisfied until she asks a wealthy friend for a necklace to borrow.
At the ball, Mme. Loisel is a hit, everyone loves her. Upon leaving she reaches for the necklace, and finds it missing. After days of searching, she and her husband decide to replace it with a one that looks identical. The replacement cost more money than they make, and it takes them ten years to pay it off.
After ten years of hard work and struggles, the couple pays off all their debts.
One day Mathilde is walking to the market and sees the friend that she borrowed the necklace from. She decides to tell her what happened.
The friend Mme. Forestier, tells Mathilde that the necklace was “false”, a fake. The reader is left contemplating the irony of the situation.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a visual plot diagram of The Necklace.
Read the story with the help of the students and ask them to highlight the main points. Students can also annotate the story and write their thoughts side by side while reading. Students can also read reviews and different discussions on the story on online platforms.
Carefully distinguish among the sequence of events occurring throughout the story. Students can divide the events accordingly and summarize each event into a small paragraph. This sequence will clarify which event will be the reason for the conflict.
Begin by explaining the concept of different types of conflicts to the students. For instance, character vs character or character vs self are the main types of conflicts mostly used in these stories. Ask the students to recognize what types of conflicts are occurring in the story and highlight the internal and external struggles of the characters.
Divide the class into groups and give each student a different scenario of the story. Ask the group to discuss the scenario itself and different predictions and extensions related to it. For instance, what would have happened if the lost necklace had been found a year later? The scenarios do not exactly have to be realistic as the main goal of this activity is encouraging critical thinking and fostering creativity.
Ask the students to reflect on the activities and discussions they have carried out so far and what they have learned from them. Encourage them to keep using these activities for other stories as well.
When Madame Loisel learns that the necklace she borrowed and misplaced was a fake rather than an expensive item of jewelry, the problem is over. The narrative comes to an end with this realization. This realization in itself leaves the readers to understand the meaning of the story and its resolution as the audience can empathize with but at the same time blame Madame Loisel for her own actions.
Topics covered in "The Necklace" include the negative effects of materialism and arrogance, the fallacy of appearances, and the notion that pursuing social prestige can result in tragedy. It also makes the reader aware of the tragic consequences of these actions.
There is a considerable change in Madame Loisel's personality. She first feels unhappy and longs for a greater social standing. But because of the necklace's disappearance and its effects, she develops a more modest and grounded view of the world.