The Climax, The Dénouement, and The Transformation

By Stephanie Raffelock

Good news! The SCN 2024 Anthology Real Women Write: The Power of Friendship is available now. In the forward, author Len Leatherwood says, “The essays, memoir pieces, poems, and fictional stories in this anthology reveal the multilayered aspects of friendship. The joy, pain, ambivalence, and love that friendship brings, whether in the past, the present, or the hoped-for future. Within these pages, you will recognize your own experiences, empathize with those who chronicle painful outcomes, and laugh with those who describe the lighter, more joyful moments of friendship.” Go here to order your copy.

Welcome to StoryCraft: Writers Write About Writing (formerly the SCN blog Telling HerStories), all about the craft of writing by published authors and teachers. This post is fourth in a series on “Adventures in Story Structure” by SCN author Stephanie Raffelock. (Members, submit your posts here. You must be logged in to access the form.)Other sections in Her Stories include:

• True Words from Real Women (formerly One Woman’s Day) section featuring stories about ordinary and extraordinary days in the lives of Story Circle members.

• Reviews & Interviews pointing you to your next great read or favorite author.

• And our informative monthly Flash newsletter.

We’re delighted to be here and look forward to your comments and submissions. Let’s write!

One of life’s undeniable truths is that everything changes and ends. Throughout our existence, we live thousands of stories, and those stories shape who we are and redefine our world, time and again. How we respond to the consequences of these tales, their beginnings and endings sets us on a course. Loss and love are intertwined forces, the great agents of transformation that drive our growth and evolution, as well as our creative power.

The structure and arc of a story are not just the constructs of literature; they are reflections of the human condition, deeply embedded in our psyche. In studying story structure as a novelist, I came to realize there is really only one story—the universal story of humanity. It is not your story or my story, but the story. Stories connect us to one another. Your grief touches my grief. My longing to belong resonates with your longing. This shared experience is the power of storytelling. Understanding story structure is as much about crafting a novel as it is about recognizing psychological and spiritual patterns in our own lives.

CLIMAX: Last week, we explored the midpoint of a story, where the protagonist is empowered. Having survived the all-is-lost moment, they emerge with newfound clarity and determination. From this point, the stakes rise as the protagonist grows stronger and more capable, fighting with greater purpose. It is the rising tension that carries us to the climax—the most thrilling, intense moment of the story. The climax is the pinnacle of the story. Here, the villain is vanquished, the final battle is won, and the protagonist triumphs. Yet, as satisfying as this victory may seem, the story does not end at the climax.

DENOUEMENT: What follows the climax is the denouement, a French term meaning “to untie.” This is the part of the story where loose ends are resolved, where the threads of the narrative are woven into a cohesive whole. The denouement slows the pace, offering the reader space to reflect on the themes, lessons, and consequences of the journey. It is here that we see the aftermath of the climax and understand how the characters have been changed by their experiences.

Consider the denouement in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. After Gatsby’s death, Nick Carraway decides to leave the morally bankrupt world of the East Coast elite and return to Minnesota. Disillusioned, he reflects on the corruption and betrayal that defined Gatsby’s life. His decision to leave is an act of clarity and self-preservation:

“They’re a rotten crowd,” I shouted across the lawn. “You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.”

Similarly, in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the denouement unfolds as the Montagues and Capulets, devastated by the deaths of their children, come to a poignant realization. Their feud has exacted the ultimate price, and they vow to end their rivalry to prevent further tragedy.

The climax of a story brims with intensity, danger, and risk, but it is the denouement that brings resolution and transformation. This is where we witness the protagonist’s evolution—how they’ve been shaped by their journey and how they will move forward. The denouement reminds us that endings are not just conclusions but transitions into new beginnings.

TRANSFORMATION: If we look to our own lives, we can pinpoint moments of transformation—times when we were irrevocably changed by life’s events. These moments, like the denouements of stories, allow us to reflect on what we’ve learned, how we’ve grown, and how we will carry those lessons forward. Transformation is the punctuation point at the story’s end. We want to see the protagonist embrace the gift of a life lesson. We want to know how she has changed.

We are living in the most literate era in human history. Books are more accessible than ever: you can hold them in your hands, listen to their words on Audible, or download them instantly. Podcasts dissect their stories, authors share their insights on YouTube, and writing itself has become a tool for many to explore their psyche and imaginations. As writers, we are social historians, documenting the images, emotions, and tones of our time and place.

If you’re reading this, you’re a writer—or aspiring to be one. I encourage you not only to write but to study the architecture of stories. Reflect on how their patterns mirror the patterns and rhythms of your own life. Embrace writing as a gateway to what Plato called “the examined life.”

In an age dominated by greed and commercialism—where money and power often overshadow humanity—I believe writers hold the key to saving our souls. Writers remind us of what it means to be human and humane. They tell the stories that keep us tethered to our shared journey and our deepest truths.

In the final segment of this series, I’ll guide you through using the markers we’ve discussed to create the connective tissue that forms a complete plot. Knowing your destination before you begin writing a novel or memoir can be a powerful tool. What I share here is what works for me, but you are free to tweak, adapt, and reinvent these ideas to suit your unique voice and vision.

Write boldly. Write honestly. And let your stories become the transformations the world so desperately needs.

Here’s some food for thought and some reflections on this week’s essay. Let’s have a conversation!

1. How does the sharing of stories connect you to others?

2. How can writing and storytelling serve as tools for transformation?

3. What role do you as a writer play in a society dominated by commercialism and greed?

4. What does it mean to live “the examined life”?

(You may also find these questions useful for some thoughtful journal prompts.)

Stephanie Raffelock is the author of Creatrix Rising, Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women. She also penned the award winning book, A Delightful Little Book on Aging and is the editor of the anthology, Art In The Time of Unbearable Crisis. A graduate of Naropa University’s program in Writing and Poetics, Stephanie has worked as a freelancer for The Aspen Times and The Rogue Valley Messenger. She has written and blogged for numerous publications and currently writes a weekly Substack, Creative Eldering.

Stephanie enjoys an active life in Austin, Texas with her husband, Dean and their Labrador retriever, Mickey.

Website:

http://www.BylineStephanie.com

Instagram:

http://www.byline.stephanie

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