Theories of Narrative in Literature

Introduction: Theories of Narrative

Theories of narrative refer to a broad range of interdisciplinary approaches aimed at understanding the nature and function of stories and storytelling. Narrative theorists explore various aspects of narrative, such as plot, character, and point of view, and draw on disciplines such as psychology, linguistics, philosophy, and sociology. Through their analyses, narrative theorists seek to uncover how stories shape our understanding of ourselves, our societies, and the world around us.

Theories of Narrative: Types

1. Structuralist Narrative Theory: Structuralism focuses on the underlying structure and organization of narratives, emphasizing elements and patterns like plot, characters, and themes. Structuralist theorists like Vladimir Propp and Claude Lévi-Strauss have identified universal narrative structures and archetypal characters in folktales and myths.
2. Poststructuralist Narrative Theory: Poststructuralist theorists, such as Roland Barthes and Jacques Derrida, challenge the notion of a fixed narrative structure. They argue that meaning is fluid and dependent on interpretation, and narratives can have multiple, shifting interpretations. Poststructuralism emphasizes deconstruction and the decentering of authority in storytelling.
3. Psychoanalytic Narrative Theory: Psychoanalytic theorists, including Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan, explore the unconscious elements of narratives. They examine how characters’ desires, fears, and subconscious motivations influence the narrative’s development. Freud’s concept of the Oedipus complex and Lacan’s idea of the “mirror stage” are often applied to narrative analysis.
4. Feminist Narrative Theory: Feminist theorists examine narratives from a gender perspective, highlighting how gender roles, stereotypes, and power dynamics are portrayed in storytelling. They analyze how narratives can reinforce or challenge traditional gender norms and biases. Feminist theory can encompass various subtypes, such as ecofeminist and intersectional feminist approaches.
5. Cognitive Narrative Theory: Cognitive narratology explores how the human mind processes and understands narratives. It delves into concepts like reader response, empathy, and narrative comprehension. Researchers in this field investigate the cognitive processes involved in reading or hearing stories and how narratives engage our mental faculties.
6. Cultural and Sociological Narrative Theory: These theories examine the role of narratives in shaping cultural, social, and political values. They explore how narratives reflect, construct, and contest the dominant ideologies of a society. Cultural and sociological narrative theorists consider issues like representation, power, and identity.
7. Genre Theory: Genre theory classifies narratives into different categories or genres based on their common conventions, themes, and structures. Genres include comedy, tragedy, science fiction, mystery, and more. Understanding genre helps both creators and audiences anticipate the content and expectations of a narrative.
8. Historical Narrative Theory: Historical narratives are focused on recounting real events from the past. Historians and scholars study the construction and interpretation of historical narratives to understand how societies remember and interpret their history. Narratives in this context often involve issues of bias, memory, and historical accuracy.
9. Oral and Folk Narrative Theory: These theories explore storytelling traditions that have been passed down orally through generations. They often investigate the cultural and social functions of oral narratives, as well as the evolution of stories within these traditions.
10. Film and Media Narrative Theory” In the context of visual media, narrative theory examines how stories are told through film, television, and new media. Concepts like cinematic language, editing, and the impact of visual elements on storytelling are central to this type of narrative theory.

Principals of Theories of Narrative

Principal	Detail
Narrative as a Fundamental Human Activity	Narratives are seen as a fundamental and universal human activity. Humans have an inherent desire to tell and listen to stories. Narratives are a primary way of making sense of the world and our experiences.
Narrative Structures	Narratives have a structure, often characterized by a beginning, middle, and end. This structure helps organize events and actions, creating a coherent and meaningful narrative.
Characters and Agents	Central to narratives are characters or agents who drive the plot and embody various roles and traits. Character development and interaction are important elements in understanding narratives.
Conflict and Resolution	Narratives frequently involve conflict or tension, which propels the story forward. Resolutions or outcomes provide closure and meaning to the narrative.
Themes and Motifs	Narratives often revolve around specific themes and motifs, which convey underlying messages, values, and ideas. Analyzing these thematic elements helps interpret the narrative’s meaning.
Narrative Perspective	Narratives can be told from various perspectives, such as first-person, third-person, or omniscient narration. The choice of perspective influences how the story is perceived.
Narrative Time	Narratives can play with time, using techniques like flashbacks, flash-forwards, or nonlinear storytelling to shape the narrative’s temporal structure.
Narrative Genre	Different genres have specific conventions, styles, and expectations that shape the narrative. Understanding genre is crucial for both creators and audiences.
Interpretation and Subjectivity	Narratives are open to interpretation, and individuals may derive different meanings from the same narrative. Subjectivity and the reader’s perspective play a significant role in the interpretation of stories.
Narrative as a Tool for Communication	Narratives are a powerful tool for communication and conveying complex ideas and emotions. They allow for the exploration of human experiences and social issues.
Cultural and Historical Context	The cultural and historical context in which a narrative is created and consumed can significantly impact its content, themes, and interpretation.
Intertextuality	Narratives often reference and draw upon other stories, texts, or cultural references. Intertextuality adds layers of meaning and depth to a narrative.
Authorship and Agency	The author’s choices and intentions, as well as the agency of characters, influence the narrative. Understanding the role of authors and characters is essential in narrative analysis.
Narrative Ethics	Narratives can raise ethical questions and challenges, such as the portrayal of characters or the use of certain themes. Ethical considerations are important when examining the impact of narratives on society.
Multimodality	In contemporary storytelling, narratives can be multimodal, incorporating various media, such as text, images, audio, and video. Analyzing how different modalities interact is a key principle in understanding modern narratives.

Examples of Theories of Narrative Critiques

1. Structuralist Narrative Theory – Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen:
   • Structuralists might analyze the novel’s plot structure, character roles, and recurring motifs to reveal universal narrative patterns.
   • They could identify how the story adheres to or subverts classic narrative structures, such as the hero’s journey.
2. Poststructuralist Narrative Theory – House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski:
   • Poststructuralists might deconstruct the novel’s non-linear narrative, exploring the complex interplay of multiple narratives within the text.
   • They could examine how the book challenges conventional narrative expectations and how readers’ interpretations are fluid and ever-shifting.
3. Psychoanalytic Narrative Theory – “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger:
   • Psychoanalytic theorists might delve into the protagonist Holden Caulfield’s subconscious desires and emotional struggles, exploring how his psychological development shapes the narrative.
   • They could analyze the Oedipus complex and other Freudian elements within the story to gain insights into the character’s behavior.
4. Feminist Narrative Theory – “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood:
   • Feminist theorists may examine how the novel portrays the oppression of women in a dystopian society and how it reflects patriarchal power structures.
   • They could analyze the character dynamics and narrative themes to critique the book’s feminist or anti-feminist elements.
5. Cognitive Narrative Theory – “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
   • Cognitive narratologists might study how the narrative engages readers’ empathy and understanding of the characters, particularly the enigmatic Jay Gatsby.
   • They could explore how the narrative unfolds and how readers process the characters’ motivations and emotions.
6. Cultural and Sociological Narrative Theory – “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee:
   • Cultural and sociological theorists may analyze the novel’s depiction of racism and social injustice in the American South during the 1930s.
   • They could explore how the narrative shapes readers’ perceptions of societal norms and values.
7. Genre Theory – “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien:
   • Genre theorists might examine how the narrative adheres to the conventions of epic fantasy, including the hero’s journey, quest, and the battle between good and evil.
   • They could critique how the narrative both conforms to and subverts genre expectations.
8. Historical Narrative Theory – “All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque:
   • Historical narrative theorists may scrutinize the novel’s portrayal of World War I, focusing on the accuracy of historical events and the impact of the war on individuals.
   • They could evaluate how the narrative reflects the historical context and the author’s perspective on the war.
9. Oral and Folk Narrative Theory – “The Odyssey” by Homer:
   • Oral and folk narrative theorists might explore the traditional oral storytelling techniques used in the epic poem, such as the use of epithets and recurring themes.
   • They could analyze how the narrative’s structure and repetition serve the oral tradition.
10. Film and Media Narrative Theory – “The Matrix” (film) by the Wachowskis: Film and media narrative theorists could investigate how the visual and auditory elements, as well as special effects, contribute to the narrative’s storytelling. They might critique the use of film techniques in conveying the story’s themes and philosophical concepts.

Keywords in Theories of Narrative

1. Narrative Structure: The organization and framework that shapes the sequence of events and actions in a story, often involving a beginning, middle, and end.
2. Character Development: The process of creating and evolving characters within a narrative, encompassing their growth, motivations, and transformations.
3. Conflict and Resolution: The central tensions or challenges in a narrative and their eventual outcomes or solutions.
4. Intertextuality: The interplay of references and connections to other texts, stories, or cultural elements within a narrative.
5. Narrative Perspective: The point of view from which a narrative is presented, including first-person, third-person, or omniscient narration.
6. Cultural Context: The social, historical, and cultural backdrop that influences and informs a narrative’s content and themes.
7. Feminist Critique: The analysis of a narrative from a feminist perspective, examining how it portrays gender roles, power dynamics, and feminist issues.
8. Poststructuralism: A theoretical approach that questions and deconstructs fixed meanings and hierarchies in narratives, emphasizing the fluidity of interpretation.
9. Genre Analysis: The study of the conventions, styles, and expectations within a specific narrative genre, such as science fiction, romance, or detective fiction.
10. Interpretation and Subjectivity: The diverse and often personal ways in which individuals understand and interpret a narrative, influenced by their unique perspectives and experiences.

Suggested Readings

1. Barthes, Roland. S/Z: An Essay. Hill and Wang, 1974.
2. Booth, Wayne C. The Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1983.
3. Cohn, Dorrit. Transparent Minds: Narrative Modes for Presenting Consciousness in Fiction. Princeton University Press, 1978.
4. Genette, Gérard. Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method. Translated by Jane E. Lewin, Cornell University Press, 1983.
5. Herman, David. Story Logic: Problems and Possibilities of Narrative. University of Nebraska Press, 2002.
6. Prince, Gerald. Narratology: The Form and Function of Narrative. Mouton de Gruyter, 1987.
7. Rimmon-Kenan, Shlomith. Narrative Fiction: Contemporary Poetics. Routledge, 2002.
8. Ryan, Marie-Laure. Narrative as Virtual Reality: Immersion and Interactivity in Literature and Electronic Media. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001.
9. Toolan, Michael J. Narrative: A Critical Linguistic Introduction. Routledge, 2001.
10. White, Hayden. Metahistory: The Historical Imagination in Nineteenth-Century Europe. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1973.