Narratology

According to the OED, narratology is “[t]he study of the function and structure of narrative”. In other words, narratology is concerned with how stories are told. To consider aspects like point of view (narrative perspective), however, does not mean to indulge in matters of form for the sake of form. Narrative strategies and techniques are not mere formalities. On the contrary, they have a literally formative impact on the content and the message of the story: first-person narrative, for instance, is a truly modern phenomenon in that it gives expression to a way of thinking that focusses on the self-determined individual who is capable of shaping their own destiny yet who is caught and at least partly determined by circumstances as well. Omniscient narrators, in contrast, seem to imply that the world and the events that occur in it can be controlled; that there is an ordering instance capable of understanding how the world works. What are the implications of the stream-of-consciousness technique? Of free indirect discourse? And what is ‘zero focalisation’? Does gender play a role? Ethnicity? Social status?

In the course, we will consider theoretical texts by various narratologists to get an idea of the ontological and epistemological implications of storytelling: apart from the ‘usual suspects’, i.e., Franz K. Stanzel, Gerard Genette etc., we will also have a look at more recent approaches. Yet of course, to make matters more tangible, we will also read some narrative texts, both short stories and excerpts from novels.

Please note:

Personal attendance during the first session is mandatory to maintain enrolment status. Please direct all inquiries about vacancies to britkult.fragen.fk15tu-dortmundde.

Most of the texts will be made available on Moodle. In case a text needs to be purchased, this will be announced in the first session.

Assignments depend on the respective course of studies and will be explained in the first session.