Classic Authors and Irritants of Minor Complication

The following are classic examples of minor complications occurring in the novel.

And what do we mean by that? The basic definition: whatever "complicates" the story, but not always existing in strong relation to the major dramatic complication or plot conflict. Minors may erupt in the same way tornadoes spin off from hurricanes, or they may be unrelated: a dropped glass, an interpersonal argument, a house-devouring sinkhole, a child with wild and green eyes attacking a homeless person, i.e., whatever irritates, provokes, or disturbs, and in usually such a way as to either nudge the story, create suspense or verve, shove the character into revealing a trait, or some combination thereof.

"The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway

Scene 8:

Robert Cohn, friend of the narrator, enters the scene while narrator is having a conversation with another character by the name of Harvey. Very soon, Harvey baits Cohn, insults him. The tension rises. As a result, Cohn behaves unsure of himself... Cohn's girlfriend then enters scene and attempts to humiliate him. The page crackles with anticipation as the tension lines cross.

Scene 27:

Brett‘s fiancé Michael, insults Cohn, comparing him to a steer who is "always hanging about so." Rather than intelligently rebut his tormentor, Cohn becomes furious. Once more Hemingway stages an interpersonal conflict that keeps you reading.

"Therese Racquin" by Emile Zola

Those cretins, Laurent and Therese, are having an affair and decide it will best serve their interest if they murder Therese's husband, Camille. As Laurent is throwing Camille from a boat into the Seine river, Camille savagely bites Laurent's neck. This is a strong minor complication, for the reader senses this bite mark will return to haunt Laurent, especially at such time the police inspector shows up to question him.

"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Scene 4:

Jordon Baker reveals to the narrator, Nick, details of Tom Buchanan's affair with Myrtle--a steamy minor complication Though this never develops into "subplot" status, it remains a cause of tension and suspense. Unlike some minor complications, this one weaves skillfully into the storyline, for in the end, it is Myrtle who is killed by Daisy as she drives Gatsby's car.

Scene 6:

Minor complication of interpersonal argument between Tom and Daisy puts Nick on edge, thus enabling him to more thoroughly assess Tom Buchanan's personality.

"Claudius The God," by Robert Graves

(minor complications of geography)

"The occultist led them over three or four miles of rough, boggy country, until they reached the marsh proper. It stank, and the will-o-the-wisp darted about it, and to reach the beginning of the secret track the Guards had to wade thigh-deep after their guide through a slimy pool full of leeches..."

(minor complication in environment requires innovation)

"Each man had his shield slung across his back and a big chalk circle smudged on it. This was to keep touch in the dark without shouting to each other... Aulus had observed that deer follow each other through dark forests guided by the gleam of the white fur patches on each other's rumps... "

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