Defining narrative

Manfred Jahn defines a narrative as “a form of communication which presents a sequence of events caused and experienced by characters.”  (Jahn, 2005)  Narrative is so ingrained in the process of human communication that it is difficult not to lump it together with the idea of communication itself.  As a species, humans communicate and learn through the series of events that make up the sum of our lives.  So much so that “we do not have any mental record of who we are until narrative is present as a kind of armature, giving shape to that record.” (Abbott, 2008)

Jahn’s definition looks at narrative and breaks it down to its simplest components, events and characters.  The definition implies that there is a “sequence of events” but Abbott argues that really isn’t necessary.  A narrative can be a simple statement: “The boy sold lemonade.”  Although as a reader we can take no context away from this statement it is nonetheless a narrative as it has a character and an event or verb.  Abbot counters Jahn’s definition with a more simplified definition: “Narrative is the representation of an event or a series of events.” (Abbott, 2008)  The semantics can be argued but what is most important is that a narrative must include an event, and for an event to occur there must be a character.  As the old saying goes: if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it did it really fall?  As far as narrative is concerned, that tree is still standing unless a character was present to see it fall.

What is so astounding about narratives is how closely tied they are to human communication and understanding.   So important is narrative that theorists “place it next to language itself as the distinctive human trait.” (Abbott, 2008)  Narrative can be expressed in almost any medium of communication from pictures and gestures to news and regular conversation. (Barthes & Duisit, 1975)

Narratives not only transfer knowledge but are “the principal way in which our species organizes its understanding of time.” (Abbott, 2008)  A more complex definition of narrative may include time which in itself implies a sequence of events as Jahn’s definition had indicated.  Abbot defends his definition stating it would be a mistake to further restrict the definition.  He may in fact be correct but time is an important consideration when looking at the impact narratives have on humans.  Our lives are shaped by a series of events which follow each other in succession.  Our life has depth and context because we are able to recall that one event occurred before another.  Our future actions are determined by our ability to remember past events.  A man won’t poke a bee’s nest a second time for fear of being stung.

Abbott, H. P. (2008). The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Barthes, R., & Duisit, L. (1975). An Introduction to the Structural Analysis of Narrative. New Literary History.

Jahn, M. (2005, May 28). Narratology: A Guide to the Theory of Narrative. Retrieved January 12, 2011, from http://www.uni-koeln.de/~ame02/pppn.htm#N1