Narrative Techniques Research Articles

Angela Carter and Recreating Femininity in The Bloody Chamber: A Semiotic Analysis

Angela Carter's "The Bloody Chamber" stands as a transformative work in feminist literature, challenging entrenched gender norms and reshaping the landscape of contemporary storytelling. This paper delves into Carter's narrative prowess, exploring how her reimagining of traditional myths serves as a potent critique of patriarchal structures. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study utilizes a comprehensive literature review to analyse Carter's contributions to feminist discourse and the critical reception of her seminal work. Drawing on postmodern literary theories, particularly Roland Barthes's theory of myths, the paper examines Carter's deconstructive approach to storytelling and its implications for feminist literary criticism. Through meticulous analysis of Carter's narrative techniques, thematic preoccupations, and engagement with feminist discourse, this study offers fresh insights into the enduring relevance of "The Bloody Chamber" in contemporary literary studies. Ultimately, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of Carter's literary interventions and their broader implications for gender representation and cultural discourse.

The Dual Role of Code-Switching in Alejandro Morales’s Reto en el paraíso

ABSTRACT Although most contemporary Chicano authors tend to write exclusively in one language, English or Spanish, they have a range of linguistic options available to them – as would any member of a bilingual community – including code-switching. Code-switching in US literature dates back to the Mexican–American War and has been employed to establish aesthetic or stylistic credibility and to communicate biculturalism or ethnic identity. This article examines the dual role of code-switching in Alejandro Morales’s only bilingual novel, Reto en el paraíso. It explores how code-switching serves as a narrative technique to develop character identity in a bilingual and bicultural context, while also performing some of the socio-pragmatic and communicative functions commonly attested in natural bilingual discourse. Morales’s linguistic choices exemplify how Chicano writers living between two cultures may, and often must, use both languages to depict accurately the intricate cultural and linguistic realities of their characters.

On Transference of Narrative Perspective in Fiction Translation—With English Translation of Biancheng as Example

Narrative perspective is an extremely important narrative technique in novels, especially in modern novels. The use of narrative perspective complements the novel’s theme and achieve certain narrative effects that are susceptible to neglect in translation. This paper utilizes the theory of narrative perspective in narratology as an analytical tool to investigate the impact of translators’ handling of narrative perspective on the stylistic reproduction in English translations of novels. Focusing primarily on Gladys Yang’s translation of Biancheng and occasionally comparing it with Ching Ti’s translation, the paper aims to demonstrate the subtle stylistic implications of narrative perspective through textual analysis and how translators’ approaches can minimize stylistic loss in translation.

Thackeray-type narrator revisited: portrayal of characters’ minds as narratorial performance in Vanity Fair

Abstract The traditional authoritative, obtrusive narrator, also known as the Thackeray-type narrator, has been excluded from the narratological study of consciousness representations, partly because scholars have a stereotypical view that such a narrator avoids descriptions of a character’s inside view, and partly because they dislike narratorial presence in the representations of figural consciousness. Taking Thackeray’s Vanity Fair as a typical example, this paper revisits these views and reconsiders the presentation of consciousness in terms of narratorial performance of narrative authority. With attention to the degrees of the reader’s involvement, it investigates how the narrator modulates various narrative techniques (psycho-narration, free indirect thought, narrated perception) to present the minds of the worldly male characters, how each technique functions in different narrative contexts through the interaction between the narratorial voice and figural consciousness, and how the narrator’s internal evaluation is subtly embedded in the immediate representations of consciousness to create intentional ambiguity.

Returns and Recalls in Julius Ocwinyo’s <em>Fate of the Banished</em> and <em>Footprints of the Outsider</em>

The generic treatment of analepsis as a narrative technique has left some of its sub-aspects, like returns and recalls, understudied. Returns and recalls were first introduced by Gerald Genette (1980) as analepses drawn from the same line of action as the first narrative. Returns fill in after the event, a gap in the narrative while recalls constitute the narrative’s allusion to its past. By extension, therefore, they are posterior to the start of the first narrative and anterior to its end. Recalls and returns get a raw deal from narrative critics and theorists; one hardly finds an article-long discussion of these aspects, even in books primarily about narrative time. Yet, rarely if ever, do novelists craft a narrative without incidents of returns and recalls; hardly do real-life stories unfold without them. Adopting an interpretive paradigm, this paper analyzed returns and recalls and their functioning in Julius Ocwinyo’s Fate of the Banished and Footprints of the Outsider. This paper embraced a qualitative research approach; specifically, a descriptive case study design was deployed. Data was collected through close reading and documentary analysis; the paper was anchored on the Genettian discoursal perspective of narrative theory.

How backstory and direct address reformulate the Shakespearean character on television: The case of the missing psychological motivation for House of Cards’ Frank Underwood

This article delves into narrative elements of direct address and backstory in television, focusing on House of Cards (2012–19), Shakespeare’s Richard III and Game of Thrones (2011–19). Comparing dramaturgical approaches in stage plays and TV series, the study highlights House of Cards’ unique incorporation of a pragmatic use of the direct address to create ‘world-view’ for character exploration. The analysis extends to Game of Thrones, emphasizing Tyrion Lannister’s self-descriptive addresses revealing a psychological struggle rooted in rejection and backstory. The article proposes a methodological framework linking first lines or direct addresses to character backstories, emphasizing the role of self-descriptive asides in character creation. It introduces the concept of a ‘psychological motivational arc’ within character arcs, exploring how direct addresses contribute to nonlinear character development. Concluding with an in-depth examination of House of Cards’ Frank Underwood, it scrutinizes Willimon’s ‘show, don’t tell’ approach, questioning its potential limitations on character depth and challenging traditional screenwriting advice. The analysis unravels the interplay between direct address, backstory, and character development in television series, offering insights into evolving narrative techniques and their implications for contemporary screenwriting.

Poetics and topics of the medieval English romance “Sir Isumbras” (14<sup>th</sup> century)

The article considers poetic, thematic and compositional features of the early English chivalric romance “Sir Isumbras”. This is a pilot study for Russian literary criticism, and its relevance is due to the insufficient research into this medieval poem in English-language literary criticism. The objectives of the study are to describe the strophic organization of the text variants of the romance found in different manuscripts, its correlation with the strophic organization of the poetic hagiography sample “The Life of Saint Eustache”, presented together with “Sir Isumbras” in MS Ashmole 61, and to consider plot motifs common to this novel and the works of various genres including the indicated hagiography and the chivalric romance “Sir Gowther”, as well as the composition specifics of plot scenes, the features of narrative techniques and the placement of plot accents. In the process of analysis, we have established that the main unit of strophic organization is the twelve-line tail-rhyme stanza of chivalric romances, however, the six-line stanza, usual for lives of the saints in verse, also has a large share; the plot of the novel is connected with different genres and subgenres and includes their characteristic motifs; the composition of the plot scenes is distinguished by two types of symmetry - both mirror and stepped; the forms of psychologism are still absent, but there are heroes’ stereotyped actions characteristic of folklore and associated with their emotional state whose verbal expression is similar to oral poetry formulas; finally, the emphasis of the final battle scene determines the meaning of the novel and gives it the features of a certain subgenre.

In the Driver's Seat: Narrative-Based Counseling in Aphasia

Purpose: People with aphasia have been shown to experience higher rates of depression and mental health issues than stroke survivors without aphasia. Narrative-based counseling approaches to therapy in communication disorders have shown promise in several areas, such as stuttering. Little is known regarding how these approaches can be implemented with individuals with aphasia. This study sought to uncover what therapeutic processes could be utilized to overcome barriers to utilizing this approach with people with aphasia. Method: A qualitative case study design was utilized. The primary data source included audio-recorded intervention sessions of a narrative-based counseling approach. Secondary data sources included reflection journals produced by the clinician and artifacts created by the client, including letter written as a part of the therapeutic process and other documents co-constructed by the clinician and client that detailed the client's journey. Data were analyzed inductively, in which transcripts were coded by the researchers and compared across the data set until patterns were apparent in the data that were later defined as themes. Results: Analysis of data suggests that adapting narrative counseling techniques for success with people with aphasia consists of allowing adequate time for client response, building a therapeutic alliance, reiteration and saturation of solution-focused language and narratives, and maintaining a topic of conversation centered around aphasia. Conclusion: This study argues for further consideration of how narrative-based counseling techniques can be adapted and flexibly used in aphasia intervention.

Sound contexts of cultural heritage tourism in the Iberian Peninsula

ABSTRACT Podcasting has emerged as an important tool for interpretive communication of heritage and promotion and marketing of tourism organizations. The integration of podcasting in these organizations’ digital models and strategies became even more evident with the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, setting an alternative and enriching medium for citizens to experience heritage. Thus, the aim of the paper is to explore the use of cultural heritage, tourism-related podcasts in the context of the Iberian Peninsula, a territory with deep geographical and intercultural relationships, with capacity for developing integrated tourism strategies and products, but also with dissimilarities in the tourism and media area. Through qualitative methodology, the cultural heritage, tourism-related podcasts available in Portugal and Spain in 2022 were mapped, an observation grid was built, and a content analysis was carried out, identifying the themes, the origin, the structure, sound expressiveness and narrative techniques used in podcasts. Thus, this paper contributes to a greater understanding of how podcasts are used in the tourism sector, highlighting the good practices existing in both countries, the advantages and potential of podcasts and pointing out new paths that could constitute innovative uses in communication in tourism.

Cross-cultural Narrative in Romantic Comedy by Chinese-American Director -- Take the Case of 'The Half of It'

Chinese-American groups have always existed as "marginalized" in the Western cultural context, and this article uses the romantic comedy "The half of it" as the research object to explore its cross-cultural narrative strategy. With the dual cultural identity of director Alice Wu as the entry point, the film narrative space is divided into three parts of family life, campus life and table tennis platform as a cross-cultural intersection of Chinese and Western culture, focusing on the film's character image design and the cultural phenomena behind the film, from Audio-visual design, plot structure and value connotation of three aspects to assist intercultural narrative of the film, explore the background of the cultural differences between China and West. The focus on the marginal groups highlights humanistic care, directs implicit, humorous narrative technique, so that the film shows more inclusive and provides ideas for the cross-cultural narrative of Chinese-American films.

Symbolism and Psychological Depth in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment and Its Influence on Modern Literature

This paper delves into the intricate layers of symbolism and psychological depth in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s seminal work, Crime and Punishment. By unraveling the complex psyche of the protagonist, Raskolnikov, the study explores the novel’s exploration of existential dilemmas, moral ambiguity, and the quest for redemption. The analysis further extends to the symbolic elements embedded within the narrative, such as the pervasive use of crosses, blood imagery, and the urban landscape of St. Petersburg, which collectively enhance the novel’s exploration of human suffering and alienation. Additionally, the paper examines the profound influence of Dostoevsky’s themes and narrative techniques on modern literature, tracing echoes of Raskolnikov’s psychological turmoil in characters and narratives of subsequent literary movements, including existentialism and modernism. Through a detailed investigation of these elements, the study aims to underscore the enduring relevance of Crime and Punishment in the contemporary literary landscape and its pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of modern literature.

Voices from the Other Side: Exploring Nonhuman Agents and Their Narrative Function in the Zhuangzi

In the history of Chinese literature, the Zhuangzi authors were the first to grant a voice to diverse forms of life, among them a snake, a tree, a dead man, a divine turtle, and even the wind. What exactly is the interest of incorporating nonhuman protagonists in brief literary fictions? Was there something at stake when trying out this pioneering narrative technique, or was it just for the sake of literary innovation and entertainment? Through a detailed analysis of a set of concise narratives, this study uncovers a consistent critique of the religious institutions (chiefly divination and sacrifice), as well as the economic practices prevalent during the Warring States period. It aims to demonstrate that the Zhuangzi's comprehensive critique of the Zhou cultural order achieves its “hearability” through a recurrent use of striking dualities, including day and night, dream and wakefulness, and humans and nonhumans. A heretofore silent and passive community of living beings raises its voice and is able to challenge the well-established discourse proclaiming human sovereignty over the natural world. These voices and the themes they raise serve, among other things, as a literary strategy intended to illuminate the universality of violence and the criminal essence of human culture (wen 文).

Exploring the Narrative Structure of Postmodern Narration and Temporal Loops in David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas

David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas is a seminal work in contemporary literature, renowned for its complex narrative structure and exploration of postmodern themes. This paper delves into the novel’s innovative use of temporal loops and non-linear time, which challenge conventional storytelling conventions and offer new insights into the nature of narrative and time. By analyzing the interconnectedness of the six stories and the thematic implications of the novel’s temporal structure, this study highlights how Cloud Atlas contributes to a deeper understanding of postmodern narrative techniques and the cyclical conception of history. The paper argues that Mitchell’s novel not only entertains but also provokes reflection on the interconnectedness of human lives across time and the potential for change within the flow of history.

Subaltern Issues in Aravind Adiga’s Between the Assassinations

Abstract: This research explores the manifestation of social realism and the reflection of globalization within the selected novels of Aravind Adiga, a prominent contemporary Indian author. Adiga’s works, known for their incisive critique of societal issues, provide a lens through which the impact of globalization on individuals and communities can be analyzed. This study investigates how Adiga’s novels capture the complexities of a rapidly changing world while depicting the challenges and inequalities brought about by globalization. The research employs a qualitative analysis of Adiga’s selected novels, focusing on “The White Tiger” and “Last Man in Tower,” as primary sources. Drawing from theories of social realism and globalization, the study explores how Adiga’s narratives portray the lives of characters who navigate the intricacies of a globalized world. Through in-depth character analyses and thematic exploration, the study reveals how Adiga’s protagonists interact with the shifting socio-economic landscape, grapple with cultural clashes, and confront power dynamics resulting from globalization. The novels provide insights into the impact of modernization, urbanization, and technological advancements on different strata of society, often highlighting the plight of marginalized and vulnerable individuals. Furthermore, the study examines how Adiga’s narrative techniques, such as vivid description, authentic dialogue, and juxtaposition, effectively immerse readers into the realities of the characters’ lives. It considers how these techniques contribute to the portrayal of a world both interconnected and fractured by the forces of globalization.

India’s Strategic Tilt: Global Alliances for National Gain

The research aims to explore India’s strategic tilt towards the great powers. How it creates an effect on its national gains. Study of this research aims to dive into India’s strategies by examining its geo-strategic location which is crucial for the global powers. By analyzing them this paper examines the motives, designs, and tactics of India to become a superpower and also the factors that are contributing to capturing the global powers' attention. This research questions what factors pitch in India's balancing act, specifically in dealing with the relations with the USA, China, and Russia. And in what ways does India’s cultural diplomacy aid in shaping the global perception of the country? The research implies a qualitative method for data collection. Narrative techniques were used for data analysis. The findings of this research will conduce to the understanding of how India strategically plays in the international arena with the great powers and what are their assumptions on it. It is recommended that India play a positive role in the peaceful existence of neighboring nations and resolve all issues with other countries peacefully.

Research on the Memorial Space Design Methods Based on the Perspective of Cinematic Architecture: Focusing on French Nouvelle Vague

This study investigates the design of French Nouvelle Vague films converted into monumental spaces based on the theory of cinematic architecture. The purpose of the study is to further develop the design method of converting the film into monumental space by exploring the correlation between film and monumental space and to prove the feasibility of the design method of converting the film into monumental space through the virtual design of the French Nouvelle Vague Memorial Museum. The object of the study is the French Nouvelle Vague film and monumental space. The content and scope of the study are to analyze the background of cinematic architecture, the correlation between film and monumental space in terms of architecture, and to propose the method of converting film into monumental space. The research method is the literature method and film observation and analysis method, through the observation and analysis of literature and classic films, to summarize the narrative techniques of French Nouvelle Vague film art and the characteristics of the French Nouvelle Vague. The significance of the research is to explore the new forms and connotations of monumental space to convey the idea of monumental space more intuitively to the users of the space and to give more social significance to the architecture with the cultural significance of the film.

Suggestive answers strategy in human-chatbot interaction: a route to engaged critical decision making.

In this study, we proposed a novel chatbot interaction strategy based on the suggestive ending of answers. This strategy is inspired by the cliffhanger ending narrative technique, which ends a story without specifying conclusions to spark readers' curiosity as to what will happen next and is often used in television series. Common chatbots provide relevant and comprehensive answers to users' questions. In contrast, chatbots with our proposed strategy end their answers with hints potentially interest-triggering users. The suggestive ending strategy aims to stimulate users' inquisition for critical decision-making, relating to a psychological phenomenon where humans are often urged to finish the uncompleted tasks they have initiated. We demonstrated the implication of our strategy by conducting an online user study involving 300 participants, where they used chatbots to perform three decision-making tasks. We adopted a between-subjects factorial experimental design and compared between the following UIs: (1) plain chatbot-it provides a generated answer when participants issue a question; (2) expositive chatbot-it provides a generated answer for a question, adding short summaries of a positive and negative person's opinion for the answer; (3) suggestive chatbot-it provides a generated answer for a question, which ends with a suggestion of a positive and negative person for the answer. We found that users of the suggestive chatbot were inclined to ask more questions to the bot, engage in prolonged decision-making and information-seeking actions, and formulate their opinions from various perspectives. These findings vary with the users' experience with plain and expositive chatbots.

An Analysis of Pearl S. Buck's Writing Style and Themes in Her Works

Abstract Pearl S. Buck, an eminent American author and Nobel laureate, is celebrated for her insightful portrayals of life in China and the universal themes of humanity. This paper examines Buck's distinctive writing style and recurrent themes, focusing on her most notable works, including The Good Earth. Through a detailed analysis of her narrative techniques, character development, and thematic concerns, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Buck's literary contributions and their relevance in contemporary literature.

Historische televisie à la Van Oostrom en Conscience?

In this contribution I make a comparative analysis of Het verhaal van Nederland (The story of the Netherlands) and Het verhaal van Vlaanderen (The story of Flanders) as historical productions, from the perspective of public history. I focus on three domains that are important to public historians. First, I will discuss the production contexts of both series, because they determine the framework wherein historians provide their expertise. I then analyse the maintained narrative techniques and how they shape the content, and whether or not these techniques distort the historical narrative. Finally, I make a plea for a study of the broader reception of these series, in order to mark the value of this type of research for public history.

Government and village commitment to support GERCEPS action of youth caring movement for stunting in Sampang

Stunting is a health problem caused by a chronic lack of intake of both macro and micronutrients, which results in irreversible growth and development in children. Child health efforts are carried out for fetuses, newborns, infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children, and teenagers. The existence of teenagers is one of the global policies focused on SDGs. However, anemia impact can give birth to babies whose development is not optimal. Peer involvement is needed in optimizing education on stunting and anemia prevention movements. GERCEPS is a youth posyandu innovation based on stunting reduction, as a pilot project in Sampang district, an acronym for Youth Movement to Prevent and Care for Stunting. This research aims to understand the government and village commitment to supporting GERCEPS action in Sampang. This research was a descriptive qualitative design using primary data sources through in-depth interviews and participant observation. The sampling technique was purposive sampling of 9 informants in 12 stunting locus villages in Sampang. Informants’ criteria for this research are residents in Sampang Regency who have work and positions in government and the village. The question instrument refers to Allen & Meyers's theory with modifications. Narrative analysis technique. The results showed that Sampang Regency had demonstrated commitment and support for the GERCEPS action effectively, sustainably, and normatively. The penta-helix approach strengthens the role of local government. However, the village character in GERCEPS action is not yet optimal because this activity is a new program and still requires adaptation and consistency. This research showed that the implications of good commitment can result in good actions at every level to reduce stunting. We hoped that the government would more optimally provide the best support to the village in implementing GERCEPS, especially ongoing training for village officials and youth cadres in implementing the GERCEPS action youth posyandu