1. Introduction For most of us, problem-solving is a way of life. On the job, at home, in relations, there is always some issue or problem at hand. Therefore, it is no wonder that problem-solving is one of the most fundamental structures underlying narrative fiction. Although readers often associate problem-solving primarily with detective fiction and murder mysteries, the reality is much broader. Nearly every successful novel contains some form of conflict, instability, morality, uncertainty, or challenge that characters must confront and attempt to resolve. Literary theorists and narrative scholars frequently identify conflict as one of the essential elements of fiction itself. This art form is about how the author resolves the conflict and gives clues about how it may be revealed, all the while allowing the interplay between characters to serve as the medium. Basically, this essay analyzes novels from a problem-solving perspective. It may help writers...
Introduction Modern culture often assumes that shielding children from stories involving death, tragedy, and violence is the best way to cultivate peaceful adults. Yet throughout history, many societies did precisely the opposite. Children were raised on narratives in which danger, mortality, betrayal, sacrifice, and violence were common realities of life. These stories were not intended to glorify brutality. Rather, they frequently served as moral and psychological simulations, helping the young confront the consequences of violence indirectly, through imagination and narrative. A strong argument can therefore be made that exposing children to serious stories, rather than sanitizing all conflict from childhood, can help cultivate adults who understand the gravity of violence and therefore come to abhor it. On the other hand, shooter-type video games have a different effect, making violence seem natural and acceptable. The Stories One of my favorite examples is One Thousand a...