Climax meaning. The climax in literature is the main important point of composition

Everyone knows that the climax is the most intense moment of the work, which requires special attention from the viewer. It is found exclusively in all forms of literary creativity, from the simplest sayings to large forms of prose. The presence of this aspect in the work is inevitable, otherwise the reader's interest will be lost.

Description

Climax is the highest point of tension, which shows the essence of the problem and ways to solve it. In small literary forms there is often only one intriguing episode, which is usually found at the end. These are easy-to-understand stories, parables, fables and the like. A striking example is the climax of a fairy tale. We take any story from a children's book, for example "Cinderella", and look for the decisive moment there. Of course, the most interesting thing for a child will be to read about how the evil stepmother found out that the mysterious guest at the ball is Cinderella, who is now marrying the prince.

Fairytale elements

Arabic tales have several climaxes, since they consist of different chapters. An example is Sinbad the Sailor. In each of his seven journeys there were previous events, their denouement and outcome, which was always happy. The plot is simple, but there are many tense moments; while reading this work, we understand that every time the climax is the way home, which Sinbad will be able to find during his next voyage.

Complex climaxes

In works of large form, as a rule, there are many climaxes. In a story, there can be several leading storylines that intertwine with each other, and each of them must have its own climax and events preceding it. The destinies of the heroes are intertwined, during which one solution to a problem can become the basis for the emergence of a new plot. As an example, let us take Bulgakov’s work “The Master and Margarita”. It is safe to say that in this case the climax is the entire novel. Here the disappearance of the outfits in which the ladies were dressed in the theater is replaced by a scene of Margarita’s experiences, which lead her to meet Azazello. And Professor Woland’s journey to Moscow leads to the fact that the Master frees from all sins who has sat in his chair for more than one millennium.

Conclusion

It is believed that for the reader it is the moments of the climax that are the most interesting. Therefore, authors often stretched out decisive events into chapters, forcing us to turn pages one after another in search of answers to all the questions that previously interested us. As a result, the climax may be unexpected, with many contradictory facts. Such works are called non-standard, the most interesting and exciting. If the plot comes to its logical end, then reading such a book is simple and accessible. It is ideal for those who often fly on planes or travel on trains.

We can say that the climax in literature is the most interesting moment of the work. He reveals to us all the secrets and shows the true faces of the heroes. And if something seemed incomprehensible to you, it means that this was intended by the author. Think of such books as mysteries that no one can solve.

He runs as fast as he can, a little more and he will be able to reach his opponent, there are still meters left to a crushing victory. Sweat runs down the boy's forehead, his legs hurt, but his willpower forces him to scream and overtake his opponent and cross such a line first.

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You feel some tension, excitement for the hero, right? This move is present in almost all works of art, and is called the Climax.

Climax is the extreme point of tension, the peak of the entire story and the turning point event that contributes to the achievement of the goal, or catastrophic failure.

Starting from the elementary grades, the teacher begins to introduce children to this concept with the help of some leading questions:

  • What did you like most about the story?
  • When were you most excited about a character?
  • What part of the story do you remember most?

An adult understands that we are talking about a climax, but children present this in the form of a simple explanation - the moment of the highest experience. However, the question arises: what is the climax? In literature, this word denotes the highest tension and the intersection of all storylines at one point with a further result influencing each key character. This component is easily visible in all Russian works.

Climax: meaning

It is almost impossible to reliably study the emergence of this concept. Many scientists believe that the culmination comes from the ancient Latin language, others argue that the roots must be sought in Greece.

However, few believe, but this is the most likely hypothesis, that the climax has many sources of development. The first time you need to talk about this is during the appearance of drawings on the walls of caves. They also contain a small story, where the peak of tension is shown at the right moment. That is, even before the advent of writing, such a concept existed. It was not quoted or designated in any way. On a subconscious level, when creating drawings, ancient people tried to first prepare the person, and then only tell about the hottest moment. And this without having a language. For example, cavemen gathered in a group. They drove the mammoth to a dead end. And they caught him. Everyone was happy. Each sentence represents a certain stage of development:

  1. Start.
  2. Development of events.
  3. Climax.
  4. Denouement.

This was all visible in the sequence of drawings in the caves.

There are theories that the climax first appeared in the works of Homer and his Iliad and Odyssey. They clearly show where the most exciting points were present. However, due to the lack of structure, such climaxes could be observed at any point in the stories. No one argues that one work can have several climactic moments, they all must be in the right places, it will be difficult to read.

In Russian it is much easier to define this most important stage of excitement than in others. Due to the simplicity of presentation and lightness of style.

Sometimes, after a hard day at work, you want to relax and read the last few chapters of another book. However, after the last word you are left perplexed: “It seems like the end, but something is missing”.

Similar problems have been seen many times. Books of this kind were called bad, due to the absence of this very boiling point. However, if you dig a little deeper, a different picture emerges. From a fiction perspective, there is always a climax. If the reader did not notice it, this is a problem in the previous stages. In order for a person to be able to feel all the tensions of the main events of the written story, it is important to start correctly and competently, that is, to introduce the characters. If the reader does not empathize with the hero, then at the turning point that same tension will not appear.

Any story must evoke feelings in the reader., negative or positive, it doesn’t matter. The point is their presence. When the events described in a new novel from a famous writer make a person think and worry, then at this moment of the highest boiling point, a massive explosion of emotions will occur. Simply creating an imaginary text of coherent sentences and calling it a story will not work. Even in the simplest stories written by schoolchildren in Russian lessons on the theme of the knight of Ivanhoe or Don Quixote’s latest battle with the mills, there is a climax. The main thing is to present it correctly, and then it’s a matter of technique.

Many imagine the climax only in literature, this word is also used in other areas of creativity and human activity.

Climax, from the point of view of astronomy, denotes the movement through the celestial meridian of a luminary with an interval of an earthly day.

Don't forget about the music. It turns out that in such a creative world there is also the concept of culmination. In many ways, the terminology coincides with the literary designation: the most intriguing and exciting moment in a musical work. Most often, this period falls on the penultimate or last stage of musical creation. For modern people who love only songs and dances, the climax can mean, again, most often, the chorus after the second verse, when the speed, timbre and tempo of the growing melody increase.

In cinema The climax denotes the final confrontation between the interests of important characters on the screen. Things are much more interesting in TV series. The catch is that most series have two climaxes. An exciting peak of the series with the most exciting grin. This is the time when the main problems and characters of the series find the necessary ways to solve the problems. After the denouement there is a small scene, which also has the right to be called a climax. The point is to intrigue the viewer and make them wait for each new episode; producers and directors create an exciting moment through the use of musical design and insufficient information in the frame.

For example. In one of the episodes of the last season of The Walking Dead, Rick and his group were captured by Scavengers, however, he saw and laughed. At the same time, we were not shown who he saw and why he laughed. This moment evokes the same feelings that were felt at the very climax of the series, and the unknown only increases the degree of excitement for the characters.

- (new lat., from lat. culmen top). 1) the passage of a star through the meridian. 2) the highest point of the celestial body above the horizon. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. CLIMAX 1) the passage of a star through... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

climax- and, f. culmination f., German Culmination lat. culmen (culminis) top. 1. astr. Passing through the celestial meridian. Sl. 18. Compose the culmination of the sun, moon and planets. MAN 10 559. Upper climax. Lower climax. BAS 1. 2. trans.… … Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language

Top, peak, crown, apogee, zenith; highest point, point, highest level Dictionary of Russian synonyms. culmination see highest point Dictionary of synonyms of the Russian language. Practical guide. M.: Russian language. Z.E... Synonym dictionary

Modern encyclopedia

CLIMAX, in astronomy, the passage of one of the inner planets, Mercury or Venus, through the solar disk. The culmination of Mercury occurs every 13 years, Venus every 100 years. The term also denotes the passage of any celestial body through... ... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

Climax- (from Latin culmen, genitive case culminis apex), 1) the point of highest tension, rise, development of something. 2) In astronomy, the passage of luminaries through the celestial meridian. They distinguish between the upper culmination, when the sun is close to the zenith, and... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

- (from lat. culmen gen. p. culminis apex), 1) the point of highest tension, rise, development of something. 2) In astronomy, the passage of luminaries through the celestial meridian. There is an upper culmination (M), when the luminary is closer to the zenith (Z), and a lower one (M), ... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

CLIMAX, climax, women. (lat. culminatio) (book). 1. The passage of a star through the meridian (astro.). 2. transfer The point of highest ascent, highest tension. Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

CLIMAX, and, women. 1. The passage of a luminary through the celestial meridian (special). 2. The point of highest tension, rise, development of something. (book) K. events. | adj. climactic, oh, oh. K. moment. Ozhegov's explanatory dictionary. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu.... ... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

Luminaries, astrakh. the transition and the moment of passage of the luminary through the noon of the place; reaching the greatest height. Climax, roll through the meridian. Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary. IN AND. Dahl. 1863 1866 … Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary

- (Culmination) the passage of any luminary through the midday or midnight part of the observer’s meridian. Upper K. the passage of any luminary through the midday part of the observer’s meridian. Lower K. the passage of every luminary through the midnight ... ... Marine Dictionary

Books

  • "Black Death" . Special forces soldier from the future, Alexander Kontorovich. The culmination of the “Black Cycle”, which made the word “misfit” generally accepted! Continuation of the combat path of our contemporary, thrown into the utter hell of 1942. A new task for a saboteur from...

Climax (from Latin culmen “peak”) in literature is a critical moment plot development works that reveal all the poignancy of the plot. It is also a decisive moment in the relationship between the hero and his environment.

The most suitable genres for developing the climax are drama and epic. If in novels and dramatic works the denouement after the critical moment develops slowly and step by step, then in short stories it develops at lightning speed and unexpectedly, since the climax itself occurs at the very end of the work.

Climax concept

Climax - ambiguous concept, and besides literature it is also found in astronomy and music. The meaning of the concept in music is similar to the literary one: it is the point of highest tension in the whole work or its individual factions. In astronomy, the culmination is understood as the moment when the center of a celestial body passes through the point of intersection of the daily parallel and the celestial meridian.

The role of the climax in the plot

Human attention is designed in such a way that it is most active at the beginning of becoming familiar with something new. Then, over time, interest gradually fades away. In order to regain the reader's attention and again activate his attention, writers take advantage of punchlines. The intensity of passions increases interest and makes you worry about the fictional characters.

The climax in literature is the most important element of the plot. It not only increases the interest of the work, but is the very purpose of writing it, what the writer wanted to say. It is at the climax that the main plot conflicts arise and are resolved.

The apogee of events is present in all works with a linear narrative structure and a pronounced plot. First of all, this big genres, among which:

  • story;
  • novel;
  • play;
  • poem;
  • Oh yeah.

There is also a climax in small genres, such as:

  • short story;
  • story;
  • fairy tale;
  • parable;
  • bike.

There is no climax in works with a non-linear narrative structure and a complete lack of plot. These include:

  • essay;
  • flow of thoughts;
  • sketches;
  • sketches;
  • notes.

Another genre that may lack a climax is chronicle. The presentation of events in direct chronological order does not imply emotional intensity in any particular fragment.

The traditional structure of a narrative composition implies a logical sequence of parts in this order:

  • Introduction - the reader is transported into the world of the work, learns the time, place and other circumstances in which what is described occurs.
  • The beginning is a meeting and getting to know the characters.
  • Development of events - the characters' characters are revealed in more detail, the main event in the work is approaching.
  • The climax is the apogee, the decisive moment of the plot.
  • Progression of events - describes the consequences of a critical point in the short term.
  • The denouement is the life of the heroes after the climax.
  • Conclusion - the writer's focus moves away from the detailed description of the characters and moves back to the circumstances.

The structure of the composition of short genres is somewhat different. The climax in them is shifted towards the end, after which a quick denouement immediately follows. Short story writers often play on the effect of surprise, which gives the critical moment special poignancy and is perceived more vividly.

Sometimes writers resort to the technique open final, leaving the reader the opportunity to think through further developments. In this case, the culmination will be the last, final part of the work, and the denouement and outcome will be absent.

Types of climax

Depending on the volume and complexity of the work, there is two kinds climactic moments:

  • main;
  • secondary.

The presence of additional critical moments is typical for works of large volume, in which, in addition to the main storyline, there are many branches.

While central conflict is the main idea and motive for writing the work, the secondary ones serve to more accurately reveal the characters of non-main characters, holding the reader’s attention in moments of relative calm in the central storyline. If there are several conflicts, the solution to each of them will have a separate climax.

Examples of climaxes in fiction

  • “The Night Before Christmas” by N. Gogol - Vakula hands Oksana the hard-earned slippers and proposes marriage to her.
  • “The Master and Margarita” by M. Bulgakov - a conversation between Christ and Pontius Pilate, Margarita’s departure to the ball, while Woland and his henchmen show their true colors.
  • “Woe from Wit” by A. Griboyedov - the culprit for spreading rumors of madness is revealed to Chatsky; it turns out to be Sophia.

It is difficult to imagine almost any musical or literary work without tension and passion. This makes the listener or reader empathize, causing the only desire - to find out what will happen next.

It is not surprising that this “aggravation of the situation” plays a key role. In order to correctly answer the question of what a culmination is, one should analyze in detail what types of it exist, and the features of its use in different types of art.

There is a lot of controversy about the origin of this word.

Some scientists believe that it came to us from Ancient Greece and in Greek meant “point, peak.”

Others insist on Latin roots.

The exact definition of what climax means is given on Wikipedia, which describes several of its types:

  1. Astronomical - the moment when a celestial body passes through the celestial meridian (during the day).
  2. Literary – the most acute situation in a literary work.
  3. Musical – maximum tension of sounds in a melody.

Climax as a plot element

This element is found in many literary works - both large genres (novels, stories) and small ones (stories).

Important! An exception may be essays, sketches, sketches - genres where there is no clear plot line, but a free flow of thoughts.

If the main plot elements are present: exposition, plot, development of events, denouement, the apogee comes after the development of events. First, the author introduces readers to the main characters. Then he plunges into the world of their lives, problems, relationships.

The reader worries more and more, and then the climax comes, when it becomes clear whether the hero will achieve his goal, whether he will win.

The climax in literature is a way to maintain interest in a book and awaken the desire to read it to the end.

Kinds

Depending on the genre, a work may contain one or more climactic moments:

  • central (main);
  • additional (minor).

Thus, in stories there is most often only one acute moment, after which the main problem is solved and the denouement occurs. In voluminous works (novels), the author describes several such situations. This is due to a large number of characters, storylines, and conflicts of interest.

To understand in more detail what a climax is in literature, it is worth turning to different works.

One of the most striking examples is the controversial novel The Master and Margarita. It has several escalating situations.

Each of the heroes experiences their own. The main character, Margarita, goes to the ball as a queen.

And Pontius Pilate talks with Jesus Christ and realizes his innocence. Woland's retinue reveals its cards at the same time.

If we analyze Nikolai Gogol's story, the most poignant moment will be when the blacksmith Vakula arrives with a gift for his beloved Oksana - the royal slippers. The reader is faced with the main question: will the beauty agree to become the blacksmith’s wife?

From small genres, this element of the plot can be traced using the example of any of the fairy tales. The popular fairy tale "Kolobok" - the climax comes when he agreed to sit on the fox's nose to sing a song. And everyone is waiting, will the bun manage to escape this time or will the fox eat him?

Climax in musical works

Any music lover is familiar with the moment of apogee, the intensity of emotions.

It does not matter what musical genre or direction we are talking about: classical (operas, musicals) or modern.

What is climax used for in music? What new thing does she bring to musical works? Should it always be there?

Determining the climax will help answer these questions.

It means the most emotional aggravation, the point of highest tension and expectation. This element is present in any melody. It's easy to recognize. It is expressed with the help of upper sounds, which sound longer, more expressively, sometimes creating the effect of a ragged, intermittent melody.

It is as necessary in music as in any other art form. Human perception is designed in such a way that at first most people feel very interested. Over time, interest becomes less, and so that it does not fade away, such poignant moments are used.

They are usually used in the area of ​​the golden ratio - this is the second part of a piece of music, between the middle and the end.

The melody grows, becomes more intriguing and exciting. The sounds are sometimes strong, sometimes barely audible.

All musical instruments involved in the work take part in this.

For those people who love modern music, the highest point of intensity in the song occurs after the second verse, when the melody becomes faster, the tempo and timbre increase.

There are different ways of expressing climax in music. This does not always happen strongly and loudly. Often the greatest intensity of passions is conveyed very quietly, intensely, making you freeze in anticipation of the outcome. It all depends on the author’s idea, content, and overall design.

Important! This is not just a way to make the work even more interesting, it is the idea itself, the main meaning, the message that the author wants to convey to the audience.

You can find out what a culmination is in the modern Russian language by turning for help not only to the Internet, but also to dictionaries (Explanatory Dictionary edited by Ushakov, Literary and Encyclopedic Dictionaries).

They most fully describe the meaning of this term, and also provide examples for each of the designations.

There is another definition of the highest point of intensity - female. This refers to the woman’s sensations during sexual intercourse, the feeling of satisfaction.

There are many myths about whether female and male pleasure can be equal in strength. Some people believe that all the talk about the female peak of pleasure is just a myth, and no climax actually occurs.

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Let's sum it up

Climax is a multi-valued concept in Russian. It is usually associated with the creative sphere. Understanding what the apogee is in any form of art makes it possible to correctly understand and perceive the essay, analyze the information that the author wants to convey.

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