Etymology of Exposition
The word “exposition” has originated from the Latin word exposition. It means “explanation” or “interpretation.” The word was originally used to refer to the act of interpreting or explaining something. Later, it later used to describe a written or oral explanation or description of a topic or subject.
Meanings of Exposition
- A public exhibition or display of art, products, or information.
- A comprehensive explanation or presentation of a subject or topic, often involving detailed information.
- A speech or writing that introduces or explains a particular theme, idea, or argument.
- The act of setting forth or explaining the meaning or purpose of something.
- In the context of a story or narrative, it refers to the initial part that provides background information, introduces characters, and sets the stage for the plot.
Exposition in Grammar
- As a noun, “exposition” can be used in various contexts and can be modified by adjectives or other nouns. For example, “detailed exposition,” “clear exposition,” or “academic exposition” are all noun phrases that modify “exposition” to provide additional information or context.
- It can also be used in the plural form as “expositions,” which refers to multiple written or spoken explanations or descriptions.
Definition of Exposition
Exposition is a literary device used to introduce background information about the characters, setting, or events in a story, typically used at the beginning of a narrative to establish context and provide necessary information to the reader. Its purpose is to provide a foundation for the rest of the story, setting the stage for the plot to unfold.
Type of Exposition
1. Descriptive Exposition
- Providing detailed descriptions of the setting, characters, or other elements to create a vivid mental image for the reader.
2. Narrative Exposition
- Using storytelling to present background information and contextual details within the main narrative.
3. Dialogic Exposition
- Delivering essential information through dialogue between characters, rather than straightforward narration.
4. Expository Writing
- A form of writing that aims to inform or explain a topic, often found in essays, articles, or non-fiction works.
5. Dramatic Exposition
- Revealing important background information through dramatic elements like actions, events, or interactions between characters.
6. Flashback
- An exposition technique where the story temporarily goes back in time to reveal past events or information.
7. Prologue
- An introductory section or chapter that provides background information before the main story begins.
8. Backstory
- Unfolding the history, experiences, or events that shaped the characters or situations in the present narrative.
9. World-building
- Creating a detailed and immersive fictional world with its own rules, history, and culture, often used in fantasy and science fiction genres.
10. Character Monologue
- A character directly addresses the audience or other characters to provide essential information or reveal thoughts and feelings.
Literary Examples of Exposition
“Behind Winston’s back the voice from the telescreen was still babbling away about pig-iron and the overfulfilment of the Ninth Three-Year Plan. The telescreen received and transmitted simultaneously. Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it, moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard.”
In this opening passage of “1984,” Orwell uses exposition to establish the dystopian setting and the oppressive nature of the government. The telescreen and metal plaque serve as symbols of the government’s constant surveillance and control over its citizens.
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.”
In this opening passage, Tolkien uses exposition to describe the setting of the story and introduce the main character, Bilbo Baggins. The detailed description of the hobbit-hole serves as a symbol of the comfort and security that Bilbo has grown accustomed to, setting up the contrast with the dangers and adventures he will face on his journey.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
In this famous opening line, Austen uses exposition to establish the social norms and expectations of the time period, as well as the central theme of the novel – the pursuit of marriage and status. The witty phrasing also sets the tone for the novel as a satire of the society in which it is set.
“The Nellie, a cruising yawl, swung to her anchor without a flutter of the sails, and was at rest. The flood had made, the wind was nearly calm, and being bound down the river, the only thing for it was to come to and wait for the turn of the tide.”
In this opening passage, Conrad uses exposition to establish the setting of the story – a boat on the Thames River – and introduce the main narrator, who is part of a group waiting for the tide to turn before continuing their journey. The peaceful description of the river contrasts with the darkness and violence of the story that will follow.
- From Charles Dicken’s A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
In this famous opening paragraph of the novel, Dickens sets the stage for the story’s exposition by contrasting the starkly different conditions of the two cities (London and Paris) and the time period in which the story is set. The repetition of contrasting phrases emphasizes the stark differences between the two cities and creates a sense of tension and anticipation for the rest of the story.
Suggested Readings
- Booth, Wayne C. The Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1983.
- Forster, E.M. Aspects of the Novel. Harvest Books, 2002.
- Gardner, John. The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers. Vintage Books, 1991.
- Genette, Gérard. Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method. Translated by Jane E. Lewin, Cornell University Press, 1983.
- Le Guin, Ursula K. Steering the Craft: A Twenty-First-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story. Mariner Books, 2015.
- Lutz, Tom. Crying: The Natural and Cultural History of Tears. W. W. Norton & Company, 1999.
- Rasley, Alicia. The Power of Point of View: Make Your Story Come to Life. C&T Publishing, 2008.
- Stein, Sol. Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies. St. Martin’s Griffin, 1995.
