The Narrative Chain

The Real Author This is the person who actually writes the story, but can we ever really know this person? This is the person who actually writes the story, but can we ever really know this person? D. H. Lawrence gave some famous advice: “Never trust the teller, trust the tale.” D. H. Lawrence gave some famous advice: “Never trust the teller, trust the tale.” When we examine the real author’s life in order to help us understand a story, then we are doing historical criticism. When we examine the real author’s life in order to help us understand a story, then we are doing historical criticism.

The Implied Author Since we can’t really know the real author, we don’t need to even try. Since we can’t really know the real author, we don’t need to even try. What does the text imply about the person who created it? What does the text imply about the person who created it? By reading the text, what can we assume about the author’s knowledge, interests, and motivations? By reading the text, what can we assume about the author’s knowledge, interests, and motivations? After reading Alice in Wonderland, for example, we can infer that the author is someone who wants to make fun of nobility and traditional education. After reading Alice in Wonderland, for example, we can infer that the author is someone who wants to make fun of nobility and traditional education.

The Narrator Who actually tells the story? Who actually tells the story? Does a character tell the story or does someone who is not in the story tell it? Does a character tell the story or does someone who is not in the story tell it? Does this person sound like an adult or a child? Does this person sound like an adult or a child? How much does this person know about what is going on insides people’s minds? How much does this person know about what is going on insides people’s minds?

The Narratee Who is the narrator addressing? Who is the narrator addressing? Who does it feel like the narrator is talking to? Who does it feel like the narrator is talking to? In many stories, the narratee and the implied reader seem like the same person. In many stories, the narratee and the implied reader seem like the same person. Inside the story, if one character tells a story to another story, they play the roles of another set of narrator/narratee. Inside the story, if one character tells a story to another story, they play the roles of another set of narrator/narratee.

The Implied Reader What does the text imply about the person who reads? What does the text imply about the person who reads? What knowledge is necessary or useful to make sense out of the story and enjoy it? What knowledge is necessary or useful to make sense out of the story and enjoy it?

The Real Reader Who is the person who is actually reading the text. Who is the person who is actually reading the text. This person may read and dislike the story. In such a case, the real reader is unable or unwilling to take the position of the implied reader. This person may read and dislike the story. In such a case, the real reader is unable or unwilling to take the position of the implied reader.

The Narrative Chain Real Author Real Reader Implied Author Implied Reader NarratorNarratee Irony happens when the implied author and the narrator have a different understanding. The implied author expects the implied reader to not trust the narrator—to see past his words to a greater truth. Some stories have multiple narrative strands: one implied author, but many narrators.

Narration: internal Internal narrators (sometimes called first-person narrators or character narrators). Internal narrators (sometimes called first-person narrators or character narrators). –Easy for young readers to empathize with –Limited viewpoints –Readers can only see what the characters see. –But sometimes readers can understand more than the character-narrator understands. –Even when a character tells her own story, she is telling it from a different time than it is happening. –When a character is closer in time to the actions they talk about, they are usually more engaging, but readers have more to figure out.

Narration: external External narrators. External narrators. –They are outside the story and usually not identified. –An “omniscient” narrator can go anywhere and know what’s in anyone’s mind. –A “limited omniscient” narrator can move around too, but usually only knows the mind of the protagonist. –Listen to the voice of these narrators to try to think what kind of tone or attitude they have. –Often these narrators are very didactic, telling readers exactly what they should do or think. –Sometimes these narrators are playful and teasing.