In literary terms, what is a 'denouement'?

A denouement is defined as the resolution of a story, occurring after the climax and serving to tie up loose ends, clarify the plot, and resolve any remaining conflicts. It provides closure to the narrative by revealing the fate of the characters and the outcome of the story’s events. This stage can also hint at the future for the characters involved and often brings an emotional release for the audience, as it resolves the build-up of tension from the preceding events in the plot.

In contrast, the point of highest tension in a story refers to the climax, which is a different aspect of narrative structure. A character’s internal conflict pertains to their personal struggle, which may not necessarily relate to the overall resolution of the story. The chronological order of events describes the sequence of occurrences in the narrative rather than the resolution itself, focusing more on the timeline than on the final tying together of story elements. Thus, recognizing the denouement as the resolution highlights its essential function in concluding the narrative arc.