The Grim Grotto: Elements of Fiction

There are many elements of fiction. All of them together are a recipe for the perfect story. There are five elements all together. They are conflict, setting, character, plot and theme. “The Grim Grotto” displays all of these elements with an exceptionally well written storyline.

Conflict is a very significant factor of fiction. Without conflict there would be no story. The main conflict in “The Grim Grotto” is locating the sugar bowl and keeping it away from Count Olaf. The opposing forces are Count Olaf’s troupe and the Baudelaire orphans. This conflict was never resolved within the book. However, there are many subordinate conflicts in this story. The first subordinate conflict is finding Quigley Quagmire and meeting him at the last safe place. The conflict is in between the Baudelaire orphans and Count Olaf. This is the Baudelaire’s conflict. Another one is saving the youngest Baudelaire-Sunny from the poisonous Medusoid Mycelium. This is Sunny’s conflict because she is suffering from the Medusoid Mycelium. All of these conflicts were external conflicts because they are about characters against each other and not about emotions.

I agree with the way that the characters try to solve the conflict because they refuse to give up on anything. They didn’t give up when they had to save Sunny or get away from the Medusoid Mycelium. “There must be something we can do to save Sunny. There just has to be something.” The importance of the conflict is huge. This is because the characters go to great lengths to try and get the sugar bowl. They travel underwater and go to the darkest of places to reach the sugar bowl. They go through numerous dangers just for a little sugar bowl. They go through the Medusoid Mycelium and a huge submarine just for a sugar bowl. You also know this because many characters, such as Captain Widdershins, Count Olaf and Quigley Quagmire say that this object is too important and secretive to reveal its purpose.

The climax of this book is when Violet Klaus and Sunny are walking to the taxi parting with Mr. Poe. This is the climax of the book because this was the highest point of interest and appeal. The author, Lemony Snicket, uses details and delays the end to an extent where you become very anxious to read the story.

Setting is an important aspect in some stories and less important in others.