Falling action
Literary term · say it FAW-ling AK-shun
Falling action is the part of a plot after the climax, when the main conflict moves toward its conclusion. It shows the consequences of the turning point and leads toward the final outcome, though trouble or uncertainty may remain.
How falling action appears
Escape and recovery
After the greatest danger passes, characters find safety or begin to recover. The pace often slows as the immediate threat fades.
After the Count is destroyed in Dracula, Mina's forehead loses its scar, showing that the curse has lifted, while the others mourn Quincey Morris.
In Dracula by Bram Stoker
Consequences of a confrontation
The decisive encounter is over, but its effects still need to unfold. Characters may explain what happened or decide what comes next.
After Hamlet dies in Hamlet, Fortinbras arrives, hears of the deaths, and orders that Hamlet receive a soldier's funeral.
In Hamlet by William Shakespeare
How to spot falling action
- Find the decisive turning point in the main conflict.
- Look for the consequences that follow it.
- Trace how those consequences lead toward the ending.
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What is the difference between falling action and denouement?
Falling action is the movement after the climax, while the denouement is the final settling of the story. Falling action follows consequences toward an outcome; the denouement shows where things stand at the end. In short works, the two may overlap.
Does falling action mean nothing exciting happens?
Falling action can still contain danger, surprises, or strong emotion. The term describes its place and purpose in the plot, not how quiet it feels. The central turning point has passed, but characters may still face difficult consequences before the story closes.
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