Final answer:
A story can have multiple literary troughs, which are the low points in a narrative structure that come after climaxes and lead up to further important points in the plot. These are especially common in complex narratives like novels that feature multiple subplots or character development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Can a story have multiple literary troughs?' relates to narrative structure and literary analysis. The answer is true; a story can indeed have multiple literary troughs or low points. Literary troughs refer to points in a story where tension decreases after a climax, leading up to subsequent climaxes or important points in the narrative. In complex narratives, especially in novels which allow for more extensive development than a short story, it's common to find several highs (climaxes) and lows (troughs). These serve to keep the reader engaged and to build a multifaceted plot.
Moreover, the principle of composition and the literary genre being analyzed will determine how these narrative structures are woven into the fabric of the story. Writers may use multiple troughs to explore different subplots or character arcs, which then contribute to the overall thematic depth of the narrative.