Vignette Presentation.pptx

What is a vignette in literature?

1. What is a Vignette? In literature, a vignette is a short scene that captures a single moment or a defining detail about a character, idea, or other element of the story.

2. Characteristics Vignettes are mostly descriptive they often include little or no  plot  de tail small parts of a larger work

3. They can be: a memory a  flashback   Description of the character Details of the setting  

4. vignette comes from French meaning “little vine” the term specifically arose for the small vines drawn on the pages of printed texts

5. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

6. Example of a Vignette It was very late and everyone had left the cafe except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light. In the day time the street was dusty, but at night the dew settled the dust and the old man liked to sit late because he was deaf and now at night it was quiet and he felt the difference. The two waiters inside the cafe knew that the old man was a little drunk, and while he was a good client they knew that if he became too drunk he would leave without paying, so they kept watch on him. -Ernest Hemingway

7. analysis Reading this opening passage creates a clear image and  atmosphere  in the reader’s mind—we can envision the shadow of the leaves in the light, we can feel the silence of the night, and we can imagine the intoxicated but quiet man sitting alone at the café. Hemingway doesn’t introduce the dialogue—which makes up the majority of the story—until he has employed a vignette that develops the atmosphere and feelings that he needs for the story’s success.

8. vignettes use descriptive words to paint a literary picture of a single room. On its own and out of context, this passage does not serve much of a purpose . It leaves questions like: Where is the room? Who is seeing the room? Why are they there? Whose home is it? These questions about the larger story, aren’t answered with the description. This vignette’s purpose is to add further insight about the room and to help the audience understand the setting—it doesn’t tell a complete  story  on its own, but rather, it provides depth to the  setting  of some whole story.

9. Importance of Vignettes Vignettes are important because of their descriptive nature— they can illuminate significant information, create depth of character, or provide insight about past events or circumstances. This helps create a more complete picture of the greater story. All stories rely on vignettes to provide detail. Without them, stories would be little more than plot outlines.

10. Conclusion a vignette is a critical tool in both creative fiction and creative nonfiction because it adds depth and support to a piece of literature. It is a powerful descriptive device that can bring insight about a setting, character, or idea that adds to the overall understanding of a story.