Narrative Literature: Styles, Genres, and Evolution
Narrative Literature
Different Narrative Approaches
Narrative literature can be categorized in several ways:
Narrative Length
Narratives can be short (like stories) or long (like novels), with some works blurring the lines between these categories.
Setting and Time
Some stories, like chivalric romances, exist in undefined times and places, creating idealistic and fictional worlds. Others, known as realistic stories, depict characters and situations grounded in the time they were written, offering a more true-to-life portrayal of reality.
Idealistic Narrative
Idealistic narratives often draw inspiration from ancient or medieval genres like pastoral literature, Byzantine novels, chivalric romances, and Moorish sentimental narratives. These genres often explore themes of love and combat, featuring characters of noble status and youth. The settings often involve continuous movement and detailed landscape descriptions. A notable example of an idealistic poetic genre is the Italian epic, exemplified by Orlando Furioso, which flourished in courtly settings.
Realistic Narrative
Realistic narratives often continue the medieval tradition of storytelling with a moral purpose, frequently incorporating critical and humorous elements. These stories reflect the immediate world of the reader and often feature innovations in genre and style, influenced by humanism. Dialogues play a crucial role, introducing characters who share their life stories. Short fiction (novellas) and works that offer a distorted view of reality are common. Hispanic influences, such as the narrative and theatrical models of Celestina, are evident. The picaresque theme and the emergence of the contemporary world, as depicted in Don Quixote (a parody that reflects 17th-century social realities), are also significant. Both Quijote and rogue narratives contribute to the study of psychology, offering insights into the interior lives and psychological portraits of characters, a characteristic that would later become prominent in 18th-century British realistic narratives.
Characteristics of Realistic Narrative
Realistic narratives often feature humor, ranging in degrees of corrosiveness, frequently associated with sex. Criticism, often intertwined with humor, tends to be acidic but doesn’t necessarily advocate for change. These narratives also depict everyday objects, interactions, values, and problem-solving approaches, creating a sense of realism. While the plotlines don’t have to be entirely believable, the characters’ actions and motivations should appear plausible. Protagonists in realistic narratives are often older (as in Celestina and Don Quixote), rustic, and sometimes comical or childish.