...having a strong character can play a significant role in overcoming racism and distress. In the course of the story, it is evident that Maya changes from being a casualty of racism to become a young woman with self-dignity and identity that helps her to overcome prejudice. The context of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings focuses on the problems associated with racism that was prevalent in the southern states. Racist oppression is a common theme in the book that is portrayed by all the major characters; in fact, all the other themes in the book are closely related to racism, identity and segregation. In addition, the style and genre, and the structure of this literary work make significant contributions towards its thematic development, which focus on resistance to racism, the significance of the family, self-identity and definition and independence. Walker (95) argues that I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings is characterized by thematic unity, which is achieved using the structure adopted in the text that takes more of a thematic form rather than a chronological form. In addition, Angelou managed to emphasize on the universal ideas in her literary work irrespective of its periodic quality. In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou used the major characters of the book to facilitate its thematic development identity, racism and literacy throughout the text. Basing on this assertion, this essay uses evidence from the book to affirm the role that the major characters played in the...
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...The Narrative Art of The Great Gatsby Introduction The Great Gatsby was written in 1925. The author, Francis Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) is one of the most outstanding writers in America. As a member of the “lost generation”, Fitzgerald made the short life of Gatsby epitome of the rise, boom and decline of the “American Dream” in “Jazz Age”. This novel shows us unusually rich literary and aesthetic connotation is has by its unique narrative perspective, the ups and downs of plot, superb accurate language, various rhetorical devices and vivid character images. To some extent, the reason why The Great Gatsby can become a famous classic work is that the author uses extraordinary narrative techniques in it. All the techniques are employed skillfully by Fitzgerald. The study of narrative art in this work has been highlighted in the research area in these years. Zhang Jinfeng(2001) analyzes the role of Nick in the novel from the its structure, themes and other aspects. Cheng Xilin(2009) uses the spatial narrative theory to discussed the space narrative art in The Great Gatsby from three aspects: the geography space, social space and the text space. Xiao Dongbo(2009) starts with the analysis on author and characters and expound the connotation of "American dream" and profoundly reveals the historical process of the formation, development and burst of the "American dream". Shang Guanghui(2011) analyzes The Great Gatsby from the narrators of the role and argues that the communication...
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...English Overseas English zwwx@overseaen.com 2011 8 http://www.overseaen.com Tel:+86-551-5690811 5690812 Narrative Patterns Research in O Henry's Novels · ， （ ， 332000 ） Abstract：O· Henry is living in the time when novelists are in the great pursuit of narrative pattern research. Hence his works is inevitably Henry's novels in my opinion is also marvelous for his outinfluenced. Beside his humorous language, surprising ends and expressions, O· standing narrative patterns arrangement. In this article, a research will be conducted onto his narrative pattern in the aspects of narrative perspectives, narrative space and narrative time. By this research, more information and references is intended to obtain for the further study on this area. Key words: Narrative Pattern; Narrative Perspective; Narrative Space; Narrative Time ： I02 ：A ：1009-5039(2011)08-0350-03 1 Introduction · O Henry (1862-1910), as one of the most famous writers of short story in American literature history, or even around the whole world. Plus his contribution in narrative patterns research, he is also honored as the one of the founders of American short story history. Great praises, as well as critics are raised from the world onto his short novels which are well known for the humor, vivid spots description, surprising endings. However, in this article we will pay attention to the narrative patterns in O· Henry's novels, the area of which seldom calls focus and research from the American literature...
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...Theme and Narrative Elements of the Secret Life of Walter Mitty Josetta James ENG 125 Introduction to Literature Instructor: Angela di Gualco 01/10/2014 Theme and Narrative Elements of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” The theme is one of the most involved elements of a short story. The themes job is to give the readers the over-all idea that is fabricated behind a story. A short story is marked as portraying broad ideas and elements into small pieces. In short, the theme in a story reflects or serves as the presentation of its ideas. (Clugston, 2010) The objective of this essay is to reveal the ways in which the literary elements tone and character contribute to the larger narrative theme by analyzing the short story by James Thurber titled The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. James Thurber created the character of Walter Mitty whose life seems so ordinary and boring. Walter Mittys imagination (daydreams) helps him to escape his dull life. His imagination places him in heroic situations such as a commander in the Navy steering his crew though bad weather in an 8-engine Navy hydroplane, or thinks he's a famous surgeon who is asked to help a rich Englishman, who is a friend of President Roosevelt. James Thurber set the tone for Character Walter Mitty by his actions of day dreaming, escaping reality Tone is more than merely an author’s attitude toward his/her audience and characters; it is the stylistic means by which an author conveys his/her Attitudes in a work of literature...
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...sequence of one narrative you have studied this year, explain how the opening sequence of the narrative starts the chain of cause and effect and establishes characters. 2. Explain how Harvey Dent is established as a character at the beginning of the film. 3. Explain how the character of Bruce Wayne, and his relationship with both Rachel and Harvey Dents, is developed further using a combination of production elements (00:18:34-00:20:46) 4. Explain how The Joker is developed as a character using a combination of production elements when he meets the mob bosses (00:20:47-00:25:05). How does Nolan use stereotypical characterisation throughout this scene? 5. Explain how Nolan uses the structuring of time to compress Bruce Wayne’s journey to Hong Kong (00:27:27-00:28:23) 6. Explain how The Joker is developed as a character when he kills Gambol. How does Nolan engage the audience in this scene? (00:28:23-00:30:24) 7. Explain how Nolan uses the structuring of time when Dent tries the mob bosses and their associates (00:37:56-00:38:56). 8. Explain how Nolan uses a combination of acting, mise-en-scene, camera movement and music to develop the character of The Joker in the video of him tormenting the Batman impersonator (00:40:43- 00:41:46) 9. Explain how multiple story lines are used to develop the narrative during the fundraising party for Harvey Dent. 10. During the party scene scene, a number of characters are developed and the relationship between characters is developed further...
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...Robbery (1903) display some of the early innovations in filmmaking that were instrumental in the development of film language. By examining the films of Porter and Griffith ( Birth of the Nation (1915)) , discuss in detail the manner in which Griffith was influenced by the works of Edwin S. Porter in establishing the basic vocabulary of filmmaking and editing . The film industry in contemporary society has proven itself to be one of the most popular forms of entertainment and information. Films produced these days have made way for a thriving industry. It is important to understand how these films are made and in particular how the cinema culture has evolved. D.W Griffith was a prominent figure in creating films during the early 1900s. His work was based on the basic narrative ideas for film that were formally introduced by Edwin S Porter, another critical figure in cinematic history. This essay will discuss how the works of Porter influenced D.W Griffith in developing the basic vocabulary of filmmaking and editing with reference to the early films of both these filmmakers. During the silent film era, Porter introduced the use of continuity editing and different styles of scene-cutting, (Cook, 2004:18). Porter’s first experiment with films was one-shot skits such as his New York City in a Blizzard, (Cook, 2004:18). Porter’s influence of George Melies’ notion of creating a narrative film in continuity style can be seen in his film A...
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...A major change that has occurred in the development of film is the linearity of narrative. The history of film spans over one hundred years ago, with classical narrative emerging in Hollywood around the nineteen thirties. The classical narrative period had a strong emphasis on linearity and coherence, where characters where goal centred and consistent in personality and action. In the nineteen sixties a change began to emerge in Hollywood, with Breathless (Jean-Luc Godard, 1960) breaking the editing rules, and narrative coherence, with the introduction of jump cuts. This film among others greatly contributed to the outburst of non-linear narratives, a narrative technique wherein events are portrayed out of chronological order. In the twenty-first century a range of independent films with a variety of non-linear narratives have been getting mainstream release. Within this essay I will briefly explain the different types of narratives and the reasons for their popularity. The directorial intent for many non-linear narratives can be to evoke mood, maintain suspense, indicate the malleability of memory, signify dream, and above all to provide visual pleasure. The involvement that a spectator can feel from a non-linear narrative can offer both a sense of pleasure and relation. The fact that it is up to the viewer to keep up, put things together, and make sense of the narrative provides a sense of satisfaction, and can become the reason they are watching the film. Removing the chronological...
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...Another Form of Narrative Mise-en-scène is everything that is shown on camera. However, mise-en- scène is more than just the staging of scenes. The important functions of mise-en- scène are shown in the film The Secret in Their Eyes (2009), directed by Juan José Campanella. Without a good mise-en- scène, it would be more difficult for the film to narrate the story and highlight the theme; this is because mise-en- scène plays an important role in the development of narrative, upgrading of dramatic effects, and the presentation of theme. By unfolding the contents of narration, the setting, one of the components of mise-en- scène, helps the viewers’ understanding of the narrative. The old-school objects and items, such as the characters’ costumes, the vehicles, and the black-and-white photos, in The Secret in Their Eyes, told the audience that the story was taking place in an earlier time. According to David Bordwell, a famous film theorist, and his wife Kristin Thompson, the combination of setting and costumes would “reinforce narrative and thematic patterns”. One of the important settings in the movie was the soccer stadium, where Benjamin and Pablo captured Gomez. The size of the crowd and the stadium allowed Campanella to show the viewers how challenging it was to spot and capture Gomez. In addition, the loudness of the noise at the stadium was effective for intensifying the dramatic effect during the chase scene, or in this case, the climax. Lighting is also crucial...
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...A successful narrative requires the creation and development of characters. In The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative, the term character can be defined as any entities involved in the action that have agency (Abbott, page 230). Characters are present in some of the most popular narratives of organizations. Olympic athlete Clara Hughes has become a character within Bell and Bell’s Let’s Talk campaigns, Don Cherry has become a character within CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, and the late Steve Jobs has and continues to be a character tied to the Apple organization. Raising the Roof has relied on creating and building characters to help establish their narrative, and build upon their relationship with their audiences. The Raising the Roof YouTube...
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...and narrative methods of the novel (for example, what themes are dealt with here? What use is made of narrative point of view? How is characterisation achieved?). Pride and prejudice was written by Jane Austen and published in 1813. This passage of the story was written in third person narration perspective that displays thematic concerns and narrative methods throughout the novel to make the readers relate to the story or understand the relations and differences between the 19th century society and the modern society. The themes in this passage are pride, prejudice, family, marriage, class and society, wealth, love, women and femininity, and language and communication. The narrative methods of this passage are narration and point of view (third person narration e.g. focalisation and indirect speech), selection and arrangement of events, characterisation, description, dialogue, exposition and the development of themes. Written in third person, this passage from the “pride and Prejudice” novel is written and told by an omniscient narrator (Jane Austin) who used her heroine and hero character (Elizabeth) as a focalizer through her actions and feelings towards herself, others and what is happening around her. The themes in this “Pride and prejudice” passage are pride, prejudice, family, marriage, class and society, love, wealth, women and femininity as well as language and communication. Throughout the passage, pride is seen as a major habit and attitude in every character when...
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...Identifying the narrative voice of a text enables the reader to consider the point of view, the degree of omniscience used, the objectivity, and reliability of where the story is coming from, how it is coming across, and most importantly who is recounting the events that took place. Considering the information given in the text and the message it tries to convey to the audience, you can classify a narrative into 5 general narrative voices: objective or dramatic, framed, omniscient, limited omniscient and First-person. Each narrative voice has key traits and when used correctly, has the power and ability to be able to retell the exact same story in 5 unique and enlightening ways, depending on what exactly it is the author is trying to convey to the reader....
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...Shorthand for Identification: "One way that texts like Waterloo Road and Skins for example allow for audience identification is through stereotyping and giving characters an extreme representation". Angela McRobbie (Gender Theory) Post Feminist Icon Theory: "Lara Croft, Lady Gaga and Madonna for example could be identified as post feminist icons as they exhibit the stereotypical characteristics of both the male and female strength, courage, control and logic but also are willing to be sexualized for the male gaze. This control element of their own representation is crucial in understanding the theory". Baudrillard Hyper Reality: "Some texts are difficult to distinguish in terms of the representation of reality from a simulation of reality e.g. Big Brother. The boundaries are blurred as codes and conventions create a set of signifiers which we understand but in fact the representation is a copy of a copy". Uses and Gratifications Theory: "Different audiences gain different pleasures from a media text e.g. Gravity can be enjoyed via diversion or escapism, it can use surveillance to give information to audiences and can also be discussed on forums and blogs as a form of developing personal relationships(common also in video games). Personal identity can be developed with audiences who relate to certain characters more than others". Blumler and Katz (Audience Theory) Carol Clover...
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...Essay #3: Creative Memory Word Range: 800 -1000 words. Double-spaced, 12-point Font, Times New Roman or similar. Creative Narrative Writing: Today, you become a story teller, a fiction writer, an author. You are going to tell a story from your past, but you are going to make it better. Your goal will be to make your readers believe in the truth of the story through the careful interplay of real and the almost real. Your goal will be verisimilitude. Veri =truth Similitude = likeness All stories that are worth reading, seeing, or hearing have truth-likeness. And that is what you will be going for. But you will not be able to just tell it exactly like it happened; you must fictionalize it. “One of the dangers of writing about something that really happened is an urge to stay too close to the literal truth. Because you don’t quite trust your memory of it, you come up with thin narrative and little texture, or with details or events the reader may find unconvincing… a recital of just the facts rarely adds up to a satisfying fictional truth.” – What If, Bernays and Painter Assignment: Write a narrative story about an important event in your past, but you will have to pad it with “satisfying fictional truth.” You will add to it, crafting its verisimilitude. Here are prompts to help you find your story: 1. Narrate any incident from your life in which you were forced by a role to suppress your true feelings. Describe the effect this suppression...
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...condensed, narrative. A novel can indulge in slow plot development but the short story must immediately delve into the drama. The short story needs to progress quickly from conflict or crisis, to climax and subsequent resolution. Secondly, the short story must have an affable or at least relatable protagonist as the primary character. If the reader can recognize the ‘hero’, empathize with their plight, or emotionally connect with their journey, the short story remains intriguing. This essay, using examples from two classic short stories, illustrates how narrative and character development is intrinsic to a good short story. James Baldwin’s short story, “Sonny’s Blues”, begins with “I read it in the paper, in the subway, on my way to work. I read it, and I couldn’t believe it, and I read it again” (37). The mystery of what the narrator read immediately draws the reader in and an engrossing plot unfolds quickly. A series of recollections and flashbacks reveal the internal conflict of the narrator as he struggles with his family obligation to his drug-addicted brother. An argument between the brothers is the climactic moment as angst gives way to anger and frustration. There is almost a moment of suspense before the narrator hears Sonny play at the club for the first time. The conclusion of the short story implies a resolution of the conflict, as the narrator seems to finally understand his brother through his music. This short story is engaging because Baldwin’s narrative is complex...
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...Narrative structure in Citizen Kane The narrative structure of Citizen Kane is largely nonlinear, which was revolutionary at the time the film was released. The narrative defies Classical Hollywood Cinema, in that it is not told as a chronological story with a beginning, middle, and end. Instead, the narrative begins with the end of the story – the death of the main character, Charles Foster Kane. The life story of Kane is then summarized in a newsreel, which actually gives away the whole movie. The entire plot is summarized in those few minutes, doing away with the suspense that would build up throughout a movie. Through this, the audience is asked to analyze and explore the character of Kane rather than being immersed in the plot and wondering...
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