Final answer:
The resolution or dénouement of a story is where the plot's loose ends are tied up and the central conflict is resolved, often leading to a character's change or greater understanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The resolution, also known as dénouement, typically occurs at the end of a narrative, following the climax and falling action. This is where all the loose ends of the plot are tied up, and the central conflict has been resolved. During the resolution, a character may experience a change or come to a greater understanding or realization. The resolution serves to bring the story to a close and may also provide the reader with a sense of normalcy that has been altered from the state it was in at the beginning of the story, serving as a mirror to the exposition. The characters and the world around them could be different as a result of the events that have transpired. For example, in a memoir or personal narrative, the resolution includes or precedes reflection on the lessons learned or the implications of the story's themes. While most conflicts are resolved in the resolution, some stories leave secondary conflicts open or the main conflict unresolved, adding to the complexity and provoking thought in the reader.