What Is the Climax of the Falling Action? Unpacking the Confusion
First Things First: What’s the Climax and What’s the Falling Action?
Let’s get this straight—because honestly, the terms get jumbled a lot.
Climax = The Big Bang
The climax is the most intense moment of a story. It's where the tension explodes. The big decision. The major showdown. The thing the whole narrative’s been building up to. Think: Harry facing Voldemort for real, or Katniss choosing to eat the berries with Peeta.
Falling Action = What Happens After the Boom
The falling action comes after the climax. It’s when things begin to settle (kind of). Not everything is perfect yet, but we’re past the peak. Loose ends start tying up, characters start dealing with the consequences. It’s like the emotional cooldown.
So... Is There a “Climax” of the Falling Action?
Alright, tricky question. Technically? No. The climax and the falling action are two separate parts of the plot structure. The climax comes first. Period.
But...
There Can Be a Turning Point Within the Falling Action
Sometimes, writers slip in a moment during the falling action that feels like a mini-climax. Maybe a secret is revealed, or a final emotional decision happens. It’s not the climax, but it still packs a punch. Some people call it a "secondary climax" or a "dramatic resolution."
Not all stories do this. And when they do, it’s not a rule—it’s just storytelling style.
So if someone asks, “what is the climax of the falling action?” the best answer is:
“There isn’t one. The climax already happened. But the falling action might include emotional highlights or final twists.”
Real Example: Let’s Look at The Lion King
To make this clearer, here's a quick breakdown:
Climax: Simba defeats Scar. Fire. Roars. That whole intense scene.
Falling Action: Scar is gone, but the Pride Lands are still in chaos. Simba climbs Pride Rock. The rain falls. Life starts to return.
Resolution: Simba’s the king. The circle of life, baby.
See how the emotional power continues after the climax, but it’s a downward slope now? That’s the falling action. No new climax, just the emotional wrapping-up.
Why This Confusion Happens (And Why It Matters)
Honestly? Schools sometimes oversimplify plot structures. And writers—especially in movies and novels—bend the rules all the time. So it’s normal to mix this stuff up.
But if you're writing an essay, or crafting your own story, knowing where the climax ends and the falling action begins can totally change how you pace your work.
Also, it helps avoid awkward moments like:
“Wait, didn’t the climax already happen?”
“Yeah, but then there was another big thing.”
“So… is that another climax?”
“Uhh…”
You get the idea.
Final Thoughts: Stick to the Arc, But Allow for Nuance
To wrap it up:
The climax is the peak of the story arc.
The falling action is what follows, leading to the resolution.
There's no official "climax of the falling action"—but moments of tension can still exist there.
If it feels like a mini-climax, cool—but it doesn’t replace the main one.
Storytelling isn’t always clean-cut. Sometimes it meanders, sometimes it zigs when you expect it to zag. But if you’ve got a solid sense of where your story climaxes, you’re already ahead of the game.
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.