1. Narratology (Structural) Theory

2. Diagetic narrative: presents interior view of a world
Diagesis
Diagetic narrative: presents interior view of a world
Telling, recounting
Narrator presents actions (sometimes thoughts) of characters

3. Mimetic texts show or enact Musicals or plays are often mostly mimetic
Mimesis
Mimetic texts show or enact
Musicals or plays are often mostly mimetic
Dialogue is mimetic

4. Assumptions There is a difference between story and plot
Texts tend to build up/break down patterns we can use to help interpret
Analyzing the way a story is told helps us reveal a story’s meaning
Who tells a story deeply influences our understanding of literature

5. What To Do
Analyze structural elements such as chapters, parts, epigraphs, etc.
Examine treatment of time such as use of flashback and/or non-linear storyline
Look at who is telling the story. How does narrator’s involvement affect text?
Is the text mimetic or diagetic? (to what effect?)
Explore amount of stories told. Is there a “frame” and “embedded” story?
Examine contrasts/parallels and weight given each part of story

6. What does analysis of the text’s form reveal about its meaning?
Big Question
What does analysis of the text’s form reveal about its meaning?