Denouement - GCSE English Language Definition

What is denouement?

In GCSE English Literature, the denouement is the resolution of a story after its climax, in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and things are explained or resolved. 

The denouement is also the final part of a storytelling structure known as Freytag’s pyramid. Many stories follow this five-part structure, based around the idea of a central conflict followed by a climax and ending with the denouement or resolution. 

Why do writers use denouement?

Writers use the denouement to give the audience a sense of closure following the central conflict in a narrative. It may answer unexplained questions, reveal secrets, unmask pretenders or restore order to provide a satisfying conclusion for readers or an audience.

Examples of denouement

Shakespeare often uses the denouement to show a restoration of the natural order. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, the denouement is the declaration of peace between the Capulets and Montagues following the deaths of the lovers. Similarly in Macbeth, the conflict in the play is resolved when Macduff kills Macbeth, but the denouement occurs when Malcolm informs the audience that he will restore peace to Scotland.

In An Inspector Calls, J.B. Priestley creates suspense by subverting the denouement of the play with an unexpected twist, not a resolution. The play ends with the new revelation that a girl has just died and a police inspector is about to arrive, confounding the audience’s expectations. 

Revision resources to ace your exams

For more guidance on how to identify and comment on the denouement of a literary text, check out our detailed revision notes. All our notes are course-specific, so everything you’ll need to ace your exams is in one place!

GCSE English Literature Revision Notes 

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