Narrative Analysis

Narrative Analysis

The difference between story and narrative is that "story is the irreducible substance of a story (A meets B, something happens, order returns), while narrative is the way the story is related (Once upon a time there was a princess...)" - Key Concepts in Communication - Fiske et al (1993). 

A story is a sequence of events that tells us what happens, and has themes such as romance or war, where as narrative is the way the story is told and puts those themes into context. A good example of this is The Social Network by David Fincher.

When analysing a narrative, we must take into account;

• Technical Code
• Verbal Code
• Symbolic Code
• Structure
• Character
• Narrative Conflict

Technical Code

This takes into account anything technical that goes into the narrative process, such as sound, camera angles, or design and editing. How does a choice of colour, or camera angle make the audience feel? A good example of this is Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window.

Verbal Code

This is the way language is used, both written and spoken. It is how language is used to convey the story. Compare the language of a voiceover in a documentary with that of a voiceover in a film such as The Shawshank Redemption.

Symbolic Code

Symbolic codes are like clues within the narrative, for example, one of the characters may drive a broken down or old car, suggesting that the character is poor. An example of this is Roy Hill's The Sting. 

Structure

This is the beginning, middle and end. Most narratives can be summed up using Todorov's theory (see narrative theory notes). Superman Returns is a good example of this.

Character

See Vladimir Propp's theory on the 8 character roles. An example of this is Lady in the Water by M Night Shymalan.

Narrative Conflict

See Claude Levi-Strauss's theory on conflict propelling a narrative forward. An example of this is Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight.