Narrative Structure in Literature & Literary Theory

Narrative Structure: Etymology and Concept

The term “narrative” traces its linguistic origins to the Latin word “narrativus,” meaning “related to narration or storytelling.” “Structure” has its roots in the Latin “structura,” indicating the act of building or arranging. The fusion of these terms forms “narrative structure,” embodying the organized framework that underlies the telling of a story, shaping its coherence and progression.

Narrative structure refers to the deliberate organization and arrangement of elements within a story to create a meaningful and engaging whole. It encompasses the sequence of events, character development, and thematic coherence, providing the framework that guides the reader or audience through the narrative. A well-crafted narrative structure enhances the story’s impact, ensuring a logical and compelling flow that captivates and sustains the audience’s attention while delivering the intended message or emotional resonance.

Narrative Structure: Meanings

Aspect	Meaning
1. Etymology	“Narrative” from Latin “narrativus,” linked to narration; “structure” from Latin “structura,” the act of building.
2. Framework	Deliberate organization of story elements—events, characters, and themes—guiding the audience through a meaningful narrative.
3. Sequence	Intentional ordering of events for a logical and compelling progression, captivating and maintaining audience interest.
4. Coherence	Well-crafted structure enhances coherent storytelling, ensuring narrative elements work harmoniously for impact and emotional resonance.
5. Engagement	Crucial for audience engagement, the structure serves as a guide, directing the audience through the narrative for a deeper connection with characters and themes.

Narrative Structure: Definition of Theoretical Term

Narrative structure, in theoretical terms, refers to the deliberate organization and arrangement of elements within a story, encompassing the sequencing of events, character development, and thematic coherence.

It serves as the blueprint that governs the overall framework of a narrative, shaping the logical progression of the plot and ensuring a meaningful and engaging storytelling experience.

A well-defined narrative structure enhances the impact of the narrative by providing a cohesive and orchestrated presentation of key elements, contributing to the overall effectiveness and resonance of the literary work.

Narrative Structure: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Perspective	Theorist and Works	Argument
Structuralism	Roland Barthes – S/Z, Claude Lévi-Strauss – “Structural Anthropology”	Structuralists focus on universal patterns within narratives, exploring how stories adhere to cultural and linguistic frameworks.
Poststructuralism	Jacques Derrida – Of Grammatology Michel Foucault – The Archaeology of Knowledge	Poststructuralists critique structuralism, emphasizing the instability of meaning and advocating for the deconstruction of fixed narrative structures.
Narratology	Gerard Genette – Narrative Discourse Mieke Bal – Narratology: Introduction to the Theory of Narrative	Narratologists analyze the structures and functions of narratives, exploring the interplay of narrative elements and its impact on reader interpretation.
Reader-Response Theory	Wolfgang Iser – The Implied Reader Stanley Fish – Is There a Text in This Class?	Reader-response theorists emphasize the role of the reader in shaping narrative structures, highlighting how individual interpretations contribute to meaning.
Feminist Narratology	Susan Lanser – Feminist Literary Criticism Shlomith Rimmon-Kenan – Narrative Fiction	Feminist narratologists examine how gender influences narrative structures, critiquing traditional representations of women and advocating for more inclusive storytelling.

Narrative Structure and Literary Theories

1. Structuralism: Narrative structures hold a prominent position within structuralist literary theory, where scholars such as Roland Barthes and Claude Lévi-Strauss analyze universal patterns within narratives. Structuralists emphasize the role of cultural and linguistic frameworks in shaping storytelling, seeking underlying codes that govern narrative structures.
2. Poststructuralism: In contrast, poststructuralist literary theory, represented by thinkers like Jacques Derrida and Michel Foucault, challenges fixed narrative structures. Poststructuralists critique the stability of meaning and advocate for the deconstruction of established narrative frameworks, embracing a multiplicity of interpretations and highlighting the fluidity of storytelling.
3. Narratology: Narratology, as a literary theory, focuses on the structures and functions of narratives. Scholars like Gerard Genette and Mieke Bal delve into the intricate interplay of narrative elements, exploring how the arrangement of events, characters, and themes impacts the reader’s interpretation. Narratology provides a systematic framework for understanding the mechanics of storytelling.
4. Reader-Response Theory: Within reader-response theory, scholars like Wolfgang Iser and Stanley Fish foreground the role of readers in shaping narrative structures. This perspective highlights the dynamic interaction between the text and the reader, emphasizing how individual interpretations contribute to the construction of meaning and influence the overall narrative experience.
5. Feminist Narratology: Feminist narratology, represented by theorists such as Susan Lanser and Shlomith Rimmon-Kenan, centers on how gender influences narrative structures. This theory critically examines traditional representations of women within narratives, advocating for more inclusive and diverse storytelling that reflects the complexities of gender dynamics.

Narrative Structure: Application in Critiques

1. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe:
   • Narrative Structure Analysis: Explore how Achebe employs a dual narrative structure, juxtaposing indigenous Igbo storytelling with the intrusion of Western narrative forms. Assess how this structure contributes to the portrayal of cultural clash and the impact of colonization on traditional storytelling.
2. Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie:
   • Narrative Structure Analysis: Examine Rushdie’s use of a nonlinear, magical realist narrative structure. Analyze how this structure reflects the complexity of postcolonial identity, blending historical events with fantastical elements, and consider its effectiveness in conveying the nuances of India’s post-independence era.
3. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys:
   • Narrative Structure Analysis: Investigate Rhys’ utilization of a fragmented and shifting narrative structure. Assess how this structure mirrors the protagonist’s fractured identity and the destabilizing effects of colonialism in pre-colonial Jamaica, providing insight into the psychological impact of imperialism.
4. Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee:
   • Narrative Structure Analysis: Analyze Coetzee’s minimalist and detached narrative structure. Explore how this choice contributes to the exploration of power dynamics, guilt, and redemption in post-apartheid South Africa. Assess the impact of the narrative structure on reader engagement and the portrayal of postcolonial societal complexities.

In critiquing these postcolonial novels, attention to narrative structure allows for an in-depth analysis of how authors navigate the complexities of postcolonial experiences, identity formation, and power dynamics within the literary landscape.

Narrative Structure: Relevant Terms

1. Exposition: The introductory portion of a story that provides essential background information, setting the stage for the main narrative.
2. Rising Action: The series of events that build tension and develop the story leading up to the climax. It is the phase where conflicts and challenges intensify.
3. Climax: The highest point of tension or turning point in a narrative. It is the moment of greatest conflict, and it often determines the outcome of the story.
4. Falling Action: The part of the narrative that follows the climax, where the story’s conflicts start to resolve, and loose ends are tied up.
5. Resolution: The conclusion of the story, where the remaining conflicts are resolved, and the narrative reaches its final state.
6. Flashback: A narrative device that interrupts the chronological order of events to provide background information or details about past events.
7. Foreshadowing: A literary device where the author hints at future events in the story, building anticipation and curiosity in the audience.
8. Plot Twist: A sudden and unexpected change or development in the plot that alters the direction of the story, often leading to a reevaluation of previous events.
9. Narrative Arc: The overall shape or structure of a story, encompassing the rise and fall of tension and the development of characters and plot.
10. Epilogue: A concluding section of a narrative that provides closure or insight into the characters’ lives after the main events of the story have concluded.

Narrative Structure: Suggested Readings

1. Genette, Gerard. Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method. Cornell University Press, 1980.
2. Herman, David. Basic Elements of Narrative. Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
3. Prince, Gerald. A Dictionary of Narratology. University of Nebraska Press, 1987.
4. Richardson, Brian. Unnatural Narrative: Theory, History, and Practice. Ohio State University Press, 2015.
5. Rimmon-Kenan, Shlomith. Narrative Fiction: Contemporary Poetics. Routledge, 2002.
6. Ryan, Marie-Laure. Narrative as Virtual Reality: Immersion and Interactivity in Literature and Electronic Media. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001.
7. Toolan, Michael. Narrative: A Critical Linguistic Introduction. Routledge, 2001.