Names: ______Blocks: ______
6.5a: identify the elements of narrative structure including character, plot, conflict, theme and setting.
Directions: Read the passage and answer the story elements questions after.
The Lion King
A large number of animals gather around Pride Rock in Africa, where the wise mandrill, Rafiki, presents Simba, the newborn son of the lion King and Queen, Mufasa and Sarabi. Mufasa's younger brother, Scar, is displeased with the birth of this heir, as he desires the throne for himself. As Simba grows, Mufasa teaches him about being king. During a tour of the Pride Lands, Simba asks about a shadowy place; Mufasa tells him it is beyond their borders and that Simba must never go there. Later that day, Scar tells Simba that the shadowy place is in fact an elephant graveyard. Simba's curiosity is piqued, and he convinces his best friend Nala, a female lion cub, to come with him. When they reach the elephant graveyard, they come upon three spotted hyenas, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed. The hyenas try to kill the cubs, but during the chase, Mufasa arrives to rescue them. Mufasa sends Nala back to Pride Rock, while he scolds Simba. Later he teaches Simba about the stars, telling him that they represent all the great kings of the past and will always be there to guide him.
Meanwhile, Scar plots with the hyenas to take over the Pride Lands. On Scar's orders, the hyenas stampede a large pack of grazing wildebeest into a gorge; in their panic, the wildebeest do not notice Simba ahead of them. Scar informs Mufasa of Simba's predicament, and Mufasa successfully rescues Simba. However, as Mufasa attempts to exit the gorge himself by climbing its walls, Scar refuses to help him and throws him back into the gorge, resulting in his death. Scar tricks Simba into believing that Mufasa's death resulted from the cub's carelessness. Ashamed, Simba flees the Pride Lands, intending to never return. In Simba's absence, Scar steps forward as Mufasa's rightful heir and becomes the new King.
Simba collapses in the wasteland after his escape, but is found by Timon, a meerkat, and Pumbaa, a warthog. The two of them nurse Simba back to health and take him in, teaching him their motto, "hakuna matata" (no worries).
Years later, as an adult, Simba rescues Timon and Pumbaa from a hungry lioness, only to discover the lioness is his old friend, Nala. She expresses her delight at finding Simba, and informs him that Scar is a horrible king, and the other lionesses are suffering because of it. Still feeling guilt over his father's death, Simba refuses to return. The wise Rafiki tracks Simba down. He summons Mufasa's ghost in the sky for Simba; the ghost tells Simba that he must return to the Pride Lands and take his place as king. Simba refuses, but as he vanishes Mufasa tells him that he is his son and the one true king, and to remember this.
Simba returns to Pride Rock with Nala, Timon and Pumbaa, who all agree to help him fight. While Timon and Pumbaa distract the hyena guardians, Simba confronts Scar on Pride Rock. Scar forces Simba towards the edge of Pride Rock and reveals that he killed Mufasa. Enraged, Simba leaps back up and pins Scar, forcing Scar to confess his crime to the other lions. The truth now revealed, a fight ensues between the hyenas and lionesses while Simba confronts Scar alone at the top of Pride Rock. Scar begs Simba for mercy, accusing the hyenas of planning everything. The good-natured Simba spares Scar, but Scar betrays Simba’s trust and attacks once again. The ensuing fight ends when Simba throws Scar off a cliff. Scar survives the fall, but is attacked and immediately killed by the hyenas, who overheard his attempt to betray them.
With Scar and the hyenas gone, Simba is greeted by his mother and Nala. Simba walks up Pride Rock and remembers Mufasa, then lets out a powerful roar in which all the lionesses join. In time, Pride Rock is restored to its former glory and Simba looks down happily at his kingdom with Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa by his side. The film ends with Rafiki presenting Simba and Nala's newborn cub to the inhabitants of the Pride Lands and the circle of life continues.
Story Elements Questions
1) What is onesettingfrom the story? ______
2) List twocharacters:
a) ______
b) ______
3) List two character traits of Scar:
a) ______
b) ______
4) How did Scar demonstrate thosecharacter traits:
______
5) What is one conflictin the story?
______
6) Is the conflict you chose an internal or external conflict? Explain why.
______
7) What is one theme you found in the story:
______