Understanding Narrative: Elements of a Novel
A novel, a prose narrative, is often more extensive than a short story. It features a complex plot, well-developed characters, and detailed environments within an autonomous and imaginary world.
1. The Point of View
The narrator recounts the story from a particular perspective, introducing characters, placing them in a specific time and space, and revealing their thoughts and behaviors.
2. Types of Narrator
- 1st Person Narrator: The narrator is involved in the story.
- Narrator-Protagonist: The main character tells the story.
- Narrator-Secondary Character: A minor character involved in the story narrates it.
- 2nd Person Narrator: The narrator addresses the reader directly, sometimes including themselves. This technique is common in contemporary novels.
- 3rd Person Narrator: The narrator is external to the story.
- Objective Narrator: The narrator is a witness, only describing what they see without accessing characters’ inner thoughts.
- Omniscient Narrator: The narrator knows everything about the characters, including their thoughts and feelings.
3. The Action
The action comprises all events and situations that make up the story. The sequence of events is also known as the plot.
4. Characters
Characters perform the actions in the story. Based on their importance, they can be primary or secondary. The most important primary character is the protagonist, while their opponent is the antagonist.
Characterization
- Direct Characterization: The narrator or another character directly describes the character’s physical traits, personality, etc.
- Indirect Characterization: The character is revealed through their reactions, speech, actions, and interactions.
5. The Structure
- Exposition: The initial part of the story that provides necessary background information.
- Rising Action: The part of the story where the complexity increases.
- Resolution: The final part that resolves the conflicts. Sometimes, the ending may be open.
6. Time
Time in a narrative includes the duration, sequence, and management of events.
Order of Events
- Linear Order: Events are presented chronologically.
- In Medias Res: The story begins in the middle, with flashbacks and flashforwards.
- Flashback: The story starts at the end and then goes back to the past.
Perception of Time
- Objective Time: Time measured by the clock.
- Subjective Time: The personal perception of time.
Pace of the Story
- Fast Pace: Events unfold quickly.
- Slow Pace: Descriptions and reflections slow down the narrative.
7. Space
Space refers to the location where the action takes place.
- Real Space: Identifiable, real places.
- Imaginary Space: Created from real places but not authentic.
- Fantastic Space: Spaces unrelated to reality, such as in science fiction.