According to GPI
Now let us relate the elements of fiction (plot, conflict, theme, etc.) to the analysis of the three modes of nature (Goodness, Passion and Ignorance). First, a review of goodness, passion and ignorance.
The Mode of Ignorance (as we use it here) is not the same as innocence or a lack of information. It is more akin to foolishness, close-mindedness, pettiness, or bigotry. Ignorance results in madness, indolence (sloth or laziness), confusion, misery, or hatred, etc. Activities performed in Ignorance produce little or no pleasure and no lasting happiness.
The Mode of Passion is generally well recognized. Passion is characterized by great longing or desire, intensive endeavor, sensuality and sense gratification, egotism, pride, possessiveness, power, etc. Passion which is satisfied produces immediate but transient pleasure. Passion which is frustrated may result in anger and ignorance.
The Mode of Goodness is purer than the rest. Goodness enables one to appreciate the higher values of life: spirituality, justice, peace, love, etc. When one's mind is influenced by goodness, he/she is able perceive the oneness and harmony of God, Consciousness, and all people and living things. Sympathy, charity, compassion, tolerance, patience, self control, education, religiosity, love of God and enlightenment are all sustained by Goodness. The result of Goodness is lasting happiness.
The Elements of Fiction that I shall correlate to are: Plot, Conflict, Climax, Theme, and Resolution. I shall use O'Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" as an example.
The plot of a story usually involves some great endeavor (Passion) against some problem or evil (Ignorance) to achieve wisdom , contentment, or excellence (Goodness). In O'Henry's famous story "The Gift of the Magi" Della and James Dillingham are unhappy because they do not have enough money to give each other expensive Christmas gifts. The conflict is that they are unhappy with their poverty and can not feel satisfied in expressing their mutual love without exchanging expensive gifts. Due to Ignorance one thinks that material possessions will result in happiness. In ignorance, they each feel they must buy expensive gifts. Due to passion a person strives for material gain. Della's ignorance blinds her to the truth that James would have accepted even a simple gift as an expression of great love. And James makes the same mistake regrading Della. So the conflict is man (or woman) verses his/her own foolishness (Ignorance).
I am not saying that Dillingham's struggle against poverty is ignorance. Passion compels us to struggle for material things, and Goodness enables us to find happiness and contentment. So their struggle to better themselves is not ignorant. What was ignorant was their inability to be contented with the love between them, a love, which we see at the end of the story, is the only happiness that endures.
The Conflict of a story usually involves great endeavor or Passion. Della decides to cut off and sell her long, beautiful hair to buy James a golden chain for the expensive watch his father passed on to him. This was no easy matter for her, but she undergoes the sacrifice. Meanwhile James sells his gold watch to buy Della an expensive comb for her long beautiful hair.
Even a neophyte reader can appreciate that Della and James have sacrificed something very dear to them to make each other happy. We feel a sense of their Goodness in their ability to act for anothers happiness. We understand the strength of the Passion between them which motivates them to undergo such a sacrifice. But their Passion blinds them (as it often does) to an awareness of what would be truly good for them and appropriate for their situation.
The climax and resolution of a story occurs at the point of highest dramatic action, where the conflict of Passion against Ignorance is suddenly relieved by the appearance of Goodness. Della and James suddenly see the foolishness (Ignorance) in sacrificing so much to buy expensive gifts (Passion). They realize that the real treasure they have to share is their love, which transcends even their foolish mistakes. (Goodness) The resolution of a story is the way in which the Goodness achieved at the climax enables the characters to transform or overcome their conflict. James and Della that the love between them is their most valuable possession; it makes their poverty bearable and their foolishness forgivable.
The theme of a story arises out of the conflict of the protagonist, and expresses the Goodness which gives the story its greatest meaning and worth. Della feels she must sacrifice her hair to buy James a valuable gift, But she sees that her values were misplaced.
One theme may be that the gift of love transcends any material gift. Also, the sacrifice of one's bodily happiness (cutting off her hair) can lead to the acquisition of spiritual happiness. In the end Della and James are happy, and the reader is encouraged to have warm feelings in spite of their folly. Ultimately, the theme is that spiritual happiness is the true goal of life.
Other elements of the short story may also be seen in terms of Goodness, Passion, and Ignorance. Della and James are strongly in the grip of Passion of Ignorance. Were they more inclined to Goodness, they would have realized the value of a simple but meaningful gift, and thought more about the spiritual values of Christmas. The story is beautiful because they are brought to these realizations through their conflict. The setting is also an expression of Passion and Ignorance. They are dejected by the signs of poverty in their neighborhood and dwelling (Ignorance) and are bombarded by the material values of the marketplace and customs (Christmas as a time to give expensive gifts) (Passion)
copyright 1995, Martin A. Rosenthal, M. Ed.