Summary
The Life of Texts ch. 5 summary
- Course
- Institution
- Book
This is a summary of The Life of Texts chapter 5, divided into clear sections. The most important terms are all included in this summary.
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
More summaries for
-
List of Terms from The Life of Texts
-
The Life of Texts summary
-
The Life of Texts ch. 4 summary
Seller
Follow
daneevandeneijnde
Content preview
Chapter 5: Narrative5.1 Introduction
The power of stories seems to come from their ability to invite us to share in a virtual way in
the trials and tribulations of people whose lives are under pressure & whose futures are
uncertain
Narrativity: what makes narrative texts distinctive
Narratology: the branch of study that deals with the forms and functions of narratives in
society
Narrative research: a research method in which ordinary people are asked to tell their own
stories, which are analyses as a source of insight into dominant ideas & values
During the first phase of narratology, the principal focus was on the formal characteristics &
underlying structures of stories
Post-classical narratology approaches the subject from the perspective of cultural criticism &
pays more attention to how stories (re)shape our worldview emphasis is more on themes
& their impact on personal & collective identity formation
5.2 Narrative and Story
Narrative: used to refer to the semiotic carries of the story; the medium & the narrative
techniques used to represent characters & their world
Story: refers to the characters & actions evoked by the narrative
5.2.1 Word or Image?
A narrative always entails the use of one medium or another
Mimesis: direct representation through enactment (theatre)
Diegesis: indirect representation through words rather than actors (epic poetry)
Media for storytelling: language, illustrations, dance, music, stage design, etc.
Narratologists have to be alert to the differences, but also the communalities & crossovers,
between multiple media
Convergence culture: the culture in which the internet age has resulted in a convergence of
media platforms, which are becoming ever more closely interlinked
Each medium has its own affordances & limitations
5.3 Characters and Their World
Characters are the key to stories for many people
Narratives are a means of both stimulating and satisfying our curiosity about the experience
of others
The reality effect: the capacity of the writer to make the world of the story, even if this is
fantasy, imaginable as a ‘possible’ world
An incomplete picture reveals the power of language to interpret the world: the details
become more important because they are scarce
5.4 Plot Models
A fully fledged narrative should contain chronological & causal coherence
A plot is the dramatic arc that holds the beginning, middle & end together
A motif is the smallest unit of information in a narrative
Structuralism sought to uncover the underlying structure of all stories & to develop an
abstract model with universal applicability
Actantial model:
o A subject/agent desires
o An object of value, but
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller daneevandeneijnde. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $3.77. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
67866 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now