Literature is a form of creative expression that utilizes language and words to tell stories, convey emotions, and explore ideas. As such, literature has been enriched by the presence of many literary elements throughout its history. By definition, literary elements are any components or techniques used to create a story or poem; these can include characters, plot points, settings, symbols, and themes.
Characters are arguably the most important element in literature, as they serve as the focal point for readers' engagement with the narrative. Since ancient times, authors have utilized characters to represent different aspects of human life, from our aspirations to our innermost fears. Characters also play an integral role in helping us understand other concepts within a work, like theme and setting. For example, in William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth (1606), Lady Macbeth serves as both antagonist and foil character to her husband's ambition-driven actions, which ultimately lead him down his path toward destruction. Her characterization helps drive home one of the play's primary themes about unchecked ambition leading people astray from their moral compass while highlighting how unchecked ambition can be disastrous when left unguided by compassion or reasonability (as evidenced through Lady Macbeth's refusal or inability to feel guilt).
Plot points help move along a story while creating suspenseful moments that captivate readers until a resolution is achieved at some point later on in the text. A plot typically follows what is known as Freytag's Pyramid, which outlines five basic parts: exposition (introduction), rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement/resolution. Each part plays an essential role in progressing the story forward, but it should also be noted that authors often diverge away from this structure when constructing plots for various reasons, such as experimentation with nonlinear narratives or simply because they want something more unique than traditional forms allow them access to. For instance, JRR Tolkien famously deviated from conventional plotting structures with The Lord of the Rings trilogy, where he opted for an episodic format consisting largely of individual quests rather than following one linear trajectory. All three books were combined into one larger narrative arc, mostly due to his fascination with mythology-infused fantasy adventures set within expansive world-building scenarios—something not readily available via the standard structural formats used during his time.
The setting refers primarily to where or when events take place within a given piece of literature—either real places existing currently or fictional realms created entirely out of authorial imagination—though it may also refer vaguely to "the atmosphere" surrounding certain scenes happening inside said environment(s). It should be noted, however, that despite being less immediately noticeable compared to things like characters, plots, etc., settings still remain justifiably crucial component pieces nonetheless, especially if we consider how much potential there exists for exploring unique locations. For example, in his 1898 novel War of the Worlds, H. G. Wells depicts London during the Victorian era as being under Martian invasion, complete with gaslit streets crowded with frantic people running around every corner. This gave the impression that the reader had stepped directly onto late 19th-century English soil itself, making them truly believe Martians were invading.