Read "To Serve Man" Then Re-Read "To Serve Man" And Try ✓ Solved

Read "To Serve Man". Then, re-read "To Serve Man" and try

Read "To Serve Man". Then, re-read "To Serve Man" and try to identify the 7 plot points of the Freytag Pyramid. Quote the sentence that corresponds with each of the 7 points:

  1. Exposition -
  2. Inciting Incident -
  3. Rising Action -
  4. Climax -
  5. Falling Action -
  6. Resolution -
  7. Denoument -

Paper For Above Instructions

"To Serve Man" is a science fiction short story by Damon Knight that revolves around the arrival of aliens known as the Kanamits who claim to come in peace, offering to help humanity. The narrative presents various themes including altruism, deception, and the darker aspect of seemingly benevolent assistance. Below is the identification of the 7 plot points of the Freytag Pyramid along with the corresponding quotes:

1. Exposition

The exposition establishes the initial setting and characters. In "To Serve Man", the story begins with the arrival of the Kanamits on Earth, presenting themselves as a powerful race ready to assist humanity. A suitable quote for the exposition is: "The Kanamits had come to Earth." This sentence introduces the alien characters and sets the stage for the ensuing events.

2. Inciting Incident

The inciting incident introduces the central conflict of the story. The first significant event that creates tension occurs when the Kanamits offer advanced technology, which leads to the initial human skepticism and curiosity. A quote that reflects this is: "They gave us power." This moment begins the intrigue surrounding the aliens’ true intentions.

3. Rising Action

The rising action consists of a series of events that build tension as the plot progresses. In this case, humanity begins to embrace the benefits provided by the Kanamits, including global eradication of hunger and disease. The following quote exemplifies this buildup: "They made our deserts bloom." This creates hope among humans, though the underlying secrets of the Kanamits remain hidden.

4. Climax

The climax represents the peak of the story's conflict. In "To Serve Man", the climax occurs when the protagonist discovers the true nature of the Kanamits’ book, which turns out to be a cookbook. The dramatic moment is encapsulated in the line: "It’s a cookbook!" This revelation shatters the previously established trust and conveys the depth of the Kanamits’ deception.

5. Falling Action

The falling action includes events following the climax that lead towards resolution. After the protagonist makes this shocking discovery, there is a frantic effort to warn others about the impending danger and to prevent humanity from going to their doom. A pertinent quote from this section is: "People were queuing up to go with them." This indicates the rising panic and urgency.

6. Resolution

The resolution brings closure to the conflict by showing the consequences of the climax. The story depicts humanity's harsh realization about the Kanamits’ true intentions after it’s too late to stop the situation. The quote, "We are the harvest," emphasizes the grim fate awaiting those who were misled. This marks a tragic resolution to the narrative.

7. Denoument

The denouement ties up remaining threads of the story, allowing for reflection. The final lines serve as a sobering conclusion to the characters' journeys and the overall themes presented in the story. The quote for the denouement is: "They serve man." This phrase echoes hauntingly as it starkly contrasts the initial perception of servitude and benevolence, instead presenting the true horror of the situation.

Conclusion

"To Serve Man" uses the Freytag Pyramid structure to convey a powerful narrative about trust and betrayal. Each plot point serves to heighten the emotional journey, leading readers from an initial state of hope to a bleak revelation while exploring deeper themes of humanity's vulnerability when confronted with seemingly benevolent outsiders.

References

  • Knight, D. (1950). To Serve Man. Galaxy Science Fiction.
  • Freytag, G. (1863). Freytag's Technique of the Drama. J.M. Dent & Sons.
  • Forster, E. M. (1927). Aspects of the Novel. Edward Arnold.
  • McKee, R. (1997). Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting. HarperCollins.
  • Field, Syd. (2005). Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. Delta.
  • Hollinger, V. (1993). The Science Fiction of Damon Knight. Science Fiction Studies, 20(3), 209-222.
  • Saricks, J. (2001). Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. American Library Association.
  • Booker, C. (2004). The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories. Continuum.
  • Gottlieb, J. (2011). The Science Fiction Hall of Fame. Tor Books.
  • Bruner, J. (1990). Acts of Meaning. Harvard University Press.

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