Narrative frame

Definition

A narrative frame is a storytelling technique that provides a structure or context for a story within a story, often involving a primary narrative that sets up a secondary narrative. This technique allows the author to create layers of meaning, enhance themes, and offer different perspectives on the events being narrated, often seen in works of comic epic in prose where humor and social commentary are integral.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In comic epics, the narrative frame can serve to establish a humorous tone while simultaneously critiquing social norms and behaviors.
2. The outer narrative often features a narrator who may interact with characters from the inner story, creating an engaging dialogue between the two levels.
3. Using a narrative frame allows authors to play with expectations, as readers may anticipate certain outcomes based on the primary narrative while being surprised by the secondary story.
4. The framing device can add depth to character development by revealing contrasting views or experiences through the stories nested within the frame.
5. Narrative frames can also enhance themes such as truth versus illusion, where the outer narrative questions the reliability of the inner story being told.

Review Questions

• How does a narrative frame enhance the themes in comic epics?
  • A narrative frame enhances themes in comic epics by creating layers of meaning that allow for humor and social critique to coexist. The outer narrative often establishes a context that can amplify the absurdity or irony present in the inner story. This structure helps readers engage more deeply with themes such as identity, morality, and societal norms while providing a space for satire.
• Discuss how the use of a narrative frame affects character development within comic epics.
  • The use of a narrative frame significantly impacts character development by introducing multiple perspectives through which characters are viewed. This allows for contrasting experiences and motivations to be revealed, enriching character complexity. For example, when characters from the outer narrative comment on or interact with those in the inner story, it can highlight their flaws or virtues in unexpected ways, deepening reader understanding.
• Evaluate how the concept of a narrative frame reflects broader literary trends during the late-17th to mid-19th century.
  • The concept of a narrative frame reflects broader literary trends of experimentation with form and perspective during this period. Authors began to explore metafictional elements and complex structures as they sought to challenge traditional storytelling methods. This shift toward layered narratives allowed for greater commentary on societal issues, illustrating how literature was evolving to engage with modernity and self-awareness in ways that were both innovative and reflective of changing cultural landscapes.

Related terms

frame story: A type of narrative that contains another story or stories within it, often serving to provide context or set up the main tale.

metafiction:

A genre of fiction that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, often blurring the boundaries between fiction and reality.

satire:

A literary genre that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock individuals, institutions, or society at large.