Final answer:
In the dénouement of a story, the conflict is resolved, loose ends are tied up, and the aftermath shows how characters and the situation have changed, reflecting back on the exposition.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the dénouement of a story, typically the conflict is resolved. This phase follows the climax, where the tension and conflict reach their peak. The dénouement ties up all the loose ends, revealing the aftermath of the central conflict and showing how the characters and the situation have changed as a result.
In some stories, even though the main conflict is resolved, secondary conflicts may remain unsettled, or there may be a hint of ambiguity about the resolution.
The dénouement can also reflect back on the exposition, indicating how the characters and situation have returned to a state of normalcy, often changed by the events of the story.