Stories aren’t just what happens; they’re how things happen. And a crucial part of ‘how’ is building tension, creating conflict, and drawing us deeper into the narrative. This is where Rising Action comes in. It is the engine that drives a story forward, and understanding it unlocks a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling.
What is Rising Action?
Rising Action is the series of events that create tension and build toward the climax of a story. It’s everything that happens after the exposition (the beginning where we meet characters and learn the setting) and before the climax (the turning point). Think of it as a staircase, each step increases the excitement and anticipation.
A Simple Definition of Rising Action
Rising Action is the part of the story where the conflict is developed and intensified. It’s where the characters encounter obstacles and make choices that lead to greater stakes.
Rising Action Examples – Quick Look
- A character wants to win a race: They start training, face setbacks like injuries or challenging competitors, and work harder to overcome these obstacles.
- A detective investigates a crime: They gather clues, interview witnesses, and encounter red herrings and dangerous suspects.
- A protagonist falls in love: They meet, experience initial attraction, overcome misunderstandings, and deepen their connection.
The Anatomy of Rising Action
Rising action isn’t just a single event; it’s a collection of interconnected happenings. Let’s break down its key components:
Inciting Incident
This is the event that sets the story in motion. It introduces the central conflict and disrupts the character’s normal life.
Example: In The Hunger Games, the reaping of Primrose Everdeen is the inciting incident. It forces Katniss to volunteer as tribute, launching the story’s main conflict.
Conflicts & Obstacles
These are the challenges the character faces as they pursue their goal. They can be internal (emotional struggles) or external (physical dangers, societal pressures).
Example: In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry faces numerous obstacles, including prejudice from teachers like Snape, the challenges of learning magic, and the looming threat of Voldemort’s return.
Increasing Stakes
As the story progresses, the consequences of failure should become greater. This creates tension and compels the reader to keep turning the pages.
Example: In Jaws, the stakes rise from a single shark attack to multiple attacks, then to the threat of the town’s economic livelihood, and ultimately to a full‑scale hunt for a dangerous predator.
Complications & Twists
Unexpected events or revelations that further complicate the conflict and challenge the character’s plans. These are crucial for keeping the story engaging and unpredictable.
Example: In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet’s initial dislike of Mr. Darcy is complicated by the revelation of Wickham’s deceit and the circumstances surrounding Darcy’s earlier actions.
In-Depth Examples of Rising Action
Let’s examine how rising action functions in a few well‑known stories:
Little Red Riding Hood
- Exposition: We meet Little Red Riding Hood and learn about her grandmother.
- Inciting Incident: Little Red Riding Hood is asked to bring food to her grandmother.
- Rising Action:
- She encounters the wolf in the forest.
- The wolf races ahead to grandmother’s house.
- The wolf disguises himself as grandmother.
- Little Red Riding Hood arrives and notices strange things about “grandmother.”
- Climax: The wolf attempts to eat Little Red Riding Hood.
Cinderella
- Exposition: We meet Cinderella, her cruel stepmother, and stepsisters.
- Inciting Incident: The prince announces a ball.
- Rising Action:
- Cinderella is forbidden to attend the ball.
- She is forced to do all the housework.
- Her fairy godmother appears and transforms her.
- She attends the ball and dances with the prince.
- She must leave before midnight, losing a glass slipper.
- Climax: The prince searches for the owner of the glass slipper.
The Lion King
- Exposition: Simba is born as the future king, but his uncle Scar plots to take the throne.
- Inciting Incident: Scar murders Mufasa, Simba’s father, and convinces Simba to flee.
- Rising Action:
- Simba lives in exile with Timon and Pumbaa, adopting a carefree lifestyle.
- Nala finds Simba and urges him to return and reclaim his rightful place.
- Simba learns about Scar’s tyrannical rule and the suffering of the Pride Lands.
- Simba confronts his past and prepares to face Scar.
- Climax: Simba battles Scar and reclaims the throne.
Why is Rising Action Important?
Rising action isn’t just a structural element; it’s the heart of a compelling story. It does several key things:
- Builds Suspense: Keeps readers engaged and eager to find out what happens next.
- Develops Characters: Allows us to see how characters react under pressure and how their motivations evolve.
- Deepens Themes: Provides opportunities to explore the story’s underlying ideas and messages.
- Creates Emotional Investment: Makes us care about the characters and their fate.
Beyond the Basics
While the examples above illustrate traditional rising action, remember that stories can play with the structure. Some stories may use a slower burn, gradually building tension over time. Others may employ multiple subplots with their own rising action sequences. The key is to create a sense of forward momentum and increasing stakes.
Understanding rising action unlocks a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling. It is the engine that drives narratives forward, and mastering its principles will make you a more engaged reader and a more effective writer. So, the next time you encounter a compelling story, pay attention to how the rising action unfolds and you’ll be amazed at how skillfully it’s crafted.