Narrative: Using and Creating It

Introduction to Narrative

Narrative, a literary device, serves as both a structural and conceptual tool for authors to convey meaning and guide the development of their literary works. By weaving together elements like plot, character, and theme, narratives facilitate the organic unfolding of events and provide a platform for authors to explore complex psychological and cultural aspects.

The deliberate manipulation of narrative elements creates a rich textual landscape where chronology, perspective, and narrative voice converge to immerse readers in a carefully crafted realm of artistic expression.

How to Create a Narrative

Step	Explanation	Practical Example
Define the Story’s Purpose	Clarify the overarching goal or message of your narrative.	Example: In a coming-of-age story, the purpose might be to explore the protagonist’s personal growth and self-discovery.
Character Development	Introduce and develop characters with distinct traits and motivations.	Example: Introduce a protagonist who is shy and introverted but yearning for adventure, then gradually reveal their transformation into a confident and daring individual.
Setting Establishment	Describe the time and place where the narrative unfolds.	Example: Set the story in a small coastal town during the summer of 1985, highlighting the idyllic beaches and the sense of nostalgia associated with that era.
Conflict Introduction	Present the central conflict or challenge that drives the narrative.	Example: Introduce a conflict where the protagonist must choose between pursuing their dreams of becoming an artist or fulfilling family expectations of a stable career.
Plot Development	Outline the sequence of events that propel the story forward.	Example: Develop a series of events that follow the protagonist’s journey, including art school, pivotal life decisions, and encounters with influential mentors.
Tension and Climax	Build tension as the story progresses and reach a climactic moment.	Example: Create mounting suspense as the protagonist faces a critical art competition, with the climax being their final presentation of a groundbreaking artwork.
Resolution and Conclusion	Provide closure to the narrative, addressing conflicts and character arcs.	Example: Conclude the story by showing how the protagonist reconciles their personal and artistic goals, achieving a sense of fulfillment and growth.
Narrative Voice and Perspective	Choose the point of view (first-person, third-person, etc.) and narrative voice (e.g., omniscient, limited) carefully.	Example: Employ a first-person perspective to intimately connect readers with the protagonist’s thoughts and emotions throughout their artistic journey.
Dialogue and Character Interaction	Use dialogue to reveal character traits and advance the plot.	Example: Use dialogues between the protagonist and their mentors, friends, and family to showcase their evolving relationships and inner conflicts.
Symbolism and Themes	Incorporate symbols and themes to add depth and meaning.	Example: Use recurring symbols like a particular painting or motif to represent the protagonist’s evolving artistic identity and their emotional struggles.
Pacing and Structure	Control the pacing of the narrative to maintain reader engagement.	Example: Balance introspective moments with action and emotional intensity to keep readers captivated and invested in the protagonist’s journey.
Editing and Revision	Review and refine the narrative for clarity, coherence, and impact.	Example: Carefully edit the narrative for grammar, consistency, and emotional resonance to ensure that it effectively communicates the intended message.

Benefits of Narrative

Narrative is a powerful literary device that offers a range of benefits to both writers and readers:

• Engages the Reader: Narratives possess the unique capability to captivate readers, immersing them deeply within the story’s fabric and kindling their investment in the characters and unfolding events.
• Creates Emotional Connection: Narratives forge a profound emotional bond between readers and characters, facilitating empathy and enabling readers to embark on an emotional journey alongside the protagonists.
• Provides Insight: Narratives serve as a window into the human experience, offering readers valuable insights that can deepen their understanding of both themselves and the world that surrounds them.
• Offers Escape: Narratives grant readers an opportunity to escape the confines of their own lives, transporting them to alternate realms where they can encounter fresh adventures and experiences.
• Fosters Creativity: Narratives foster creativity and stimulate the imagination, not only within the writer’s creative process but also in the minds of the readers who envision and interpret the story’s elements in their own unique ways.
• Provides Entertainment: Narratives are inherently entertaining, offering readers a delightful form of escapism and relaxation, enabling them to unwind and savor the pleasure of a well-told tale.

Narrative and Literary Theory

Literary Theory	Key Focus	Practical Example
Formalism	Emphasizes literary elements such as plot structure, character development, and narrative technique.	F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby shows a non-linear narrative structure, which, according to formalist analysis, creates tension and contributes significantly to the work’s overall meaning.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Focuses on characters’ psychological and emotional dimensions, exploring their hidden motivations.	In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, a psychoanalytic critique delves into Hamlet’s submerged desires, fears, and anxieties, driving the plot and characters’ actions.
Reader-Response Criticism	Highlights the reader’s role in interpreting a text, examining the influence of personal experiences.	When readers engage with J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, their unique perspectives shape interpretations of Holden Caulfield’s character and impact their understanding of the narrative.
Postcolonial Criticism	Examines narratives within the context of colonialism, scrutinizing cultural norms and values.	Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart serves as a challenge to prevailing colonialist narratives, subverting representations of African culture, and providing a counter-narrative from the colonized viewpoint.

Suggested Readings

1. Abbott, H. Porter. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative. Cambridge University Press, 2008.
2. Bal, Mieke. Narratology: Introduction to the Theory of Narrative. University of Toronto Press, 2009.
3. Genette, Gérard. Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method. Cornell University Press, 1983.
4. Herman, David. Story Logic: Problems and Possibilities of Narrative. University of Nebraska Press, 2002.
5. McHale, Brian. Postmodernist Fiction. Routledge, 1987.
6. Prince, Gerald. A Dictionary of Narratology. University of Nebraska Press, 1987.
7. Ricoeur, Paul. Time and Narrative. University of Chicago Press, 1984-1988. (This is a multi-volume work; make sure to cite the specific volume you are referencing.)
8. Ryan, Marie-Laure. Narrative as Virtual Reality: Immersion and Interactivity in Literature and Electronic Media. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001.
9. White, Hayden. Metahistory: The Historical Imagination in Nineteenth-Century Europe. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1973.