![]() ( The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fitzgerald) Of that man skilled in all ways of contending, Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story The narrator first begins with a reminder to the listeners about “those princes heroic campaigns,” such as Shield Sheafson and uses that to set up the narrative of the hero Beowulf and his victories against Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. The author of Beowulf remains anonymous, but eventually it was written down to be passed on to future generations. This is an example of narrative that comes to us from oral storytelling. ( Beowulf, as translated by Seamus Heaney) There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes,Ī wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes. We have heard of those princes’ heroic campaigns. Let’s take a look at how narrative works in several different types of literature by considering their opening lines: Example #1Īnd the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness. Of these four modes, it is the one in which, generally speaking, the narrator communicates a story directly to the reader. Narrative is considered one of the four rhetorical modes of discourse, along with exposition, argumentation, and description. Narratives were also a means of entertainment and have helped people in every age develop a sense of identity, deepen their understanding of human psychology, and make meaning out of life. Narratives through the means of oral storytelling were important to reinforce moral lessons for a culture, pass down history and traditions, and share values and norms. Narrative actually predates literature in the sense that oral storytelling has been a part of every culture of humans that has ever had verbal communication. Though some post-modern writers have challenged the conventions of narrative by doing away with the notions of narrator and plot, there are still elements of story in every piece of literature ever written. Is it impossible to imagine literature without narrative. Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been She sees the bartender in a pool of blood,Ĭries out, “My God, they killed them all!” ![]() Pistol shots ring out in the barroom nightĮnter Patty Valentine from the upper hall. Many famous song lyrics contain narrative examples as well, such as in Bob Dylan’s “Hurricane”: So Lena pondered for a few minutes and finally said, “O.K. If its money you’re concerned about, the first five words are free. The gentleman, somewhat perplexed, said, “That’s it? Just ‘Ole died?’ Surely, there must be something more you’d like to say about Ole. The gentleman at the counter, after offering his condolences, asked Lena what she would like to say about Ole. So Lena went to the local paper to put a notice in the obituaries. Some jokes may contain narrative, as in the following: As stated above, narrative is involved in so many aspects of life that it can be difficult to find examples of communication that don’t contain examples of narrative.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |