Narrative Dynamics: Essays on Time, Plot, Closure, and Frame

by Brian Richardson

This anthology brings together essential essays on major facets of narrative dynamics, that is, the means by which "narratives traverse their often unlikely routes from beginning to end." It includes the most widely cited and discussed essays on narrative beginnings, temporality, plot and emplotment, sequence and progression, closure, and frames. The text is designed as a basic reader for graduate courses in narrative and critical theory across disciplines including literature, drama and theatre, and film. Narrative Dynamics includes such classic exponents as E. M. Forster on story and plot; Vladimir Propp on the structure of the folktale; R. S. Crane on plot; Boris Tomashevsky on story, plot, and, motif; M. M. Bakhtin on the chronotope; and Gerard Genette on narrative time. Richardson highlights essential feminist essays by Nancy K. Miller on plot and plausibility, Rachel Blau Duplessis on closure, and Susan Winnett on narrative and desire. These are complimented by newer pieces by Susan Stanford Friedman on spatialization and Robyn Warhol on serial fiction. Other major contributions include Edward Said on beginnings, Hayden White on historical narrative, Peter Brooks on plot, Paul Ricoeur on time, D. A. Miller on closure, James Phelan on progression, and Jacques Derrida on the frame. Recent essays from the perspective of cultural studies, postmodernism, and artificial intelligence bring this collection right up to the present.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays, Writing, Literature, 21st Century, Criticism

399 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a writing theory textbook not for the writing hobbyist. I tend to get more for theory books than craft books, so I responded well to this one. But if you prefer immediately applicable advice with a fast read, this is not the book for you.

P.S. There is nothing wrong with enjoying and learning from craft books. Everyone responds differently to different approaches, which is why writing reference books keep getting published and read.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for 20th Cent. British Lit.--course concentrated on narrative theory.

[Hella]

Theoretisch en erg nuttig boek over hoe verhalen werken. Vooral achtergrondkennis voor docenten.