Final answer:
The third main event in a story is the climax, the peak of action and conflict that acts as a turning point, leading to the falling action and resolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The third main event in a story is often referred to as the climax. This is a pivotal moment, typically characterized by the peak of action, tension, and conflict. The climax serves as the turning point where events necessitate an action or decision from the characters, leading to the resolution of the central conflict.
It can manifest in various forms such as a decisive battle, an internal revelation, or a crucial confrontation.
For instance, the description of Act III in a drama setting with Mrs. Linde waiting and listening for a sound indicates a building tension that could lead up to the climactic event.
In analyzing the importance of the climax, one should consider if it resolves the main conflict, whether this conflict is internal within the character or external with the surroundings, and how it changes the course of the story. It is this turning point that shifts the narrative towards the falling action, setting up the story for its conclusion.