Narratology and Discourse Analysis - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Narratology and Discourse Analysis, cornerstones within Comparative Literature, represent twin lenses through which we dissect the art of storytelling and the very fabric of communication. More than just literary theories, they are intricate maps charting the architecture of narratives and the strategic deployment of language. Often conflated or misunderstood as mere semantic exercises, they are, in truth, dynamic tools for understanding how meaning is constructed, contested, and disseminated across cultures and time.
Though not explicitly named as such until the 20th century, the seeds of narratological thought can be traced to Aristotle's Poetics (c. 335 BCE), an early attempt to categorize dramatic narratives and identify their essential components. This foundational text, penned amid the philosophical ferment of ancient Greece, grappled with questions of plot, character, and mimesis, laying a groundwork for future inquiries into the structure and function of stories. Similarly, early rhetorical studies, dating back to classical antiquity, foreshadowed the principles of discourse analysis by examining the art of persuasion and the strategic use of language in public speaking. The rediscovery of classical texts (such as Aristotle's Poetics) during the Renaissance was a significant influence during the Reformation era with the rediscovery of classical texts, leading to new interpretations and applications of storytelling techniques in literature, politics, and religious discourse.
The formalization of Narratology and Discourse Analysis as distinct fields emerged in the 20th century. Vladimir Propp’s Morphology of the Folktale (1928) revolutionized narrative study by identifying recurring structural elements in Russian folk tales. Simultaneously, developments in linguistics, particularly Ferdinand de Saussure’s structuralism, provided a theoretical framework for analyzing language as a system of signs. Later, figures like Roland Barthes, Gerard Genette, and Michel Foucault expanded these frameworks, applying them to diverse texts and sociocultural contexts, thereby revealing the power dynamics embedded within narratives and discourses. Consider, for instance, how the seemingly simple act of choosing a particular narrative voice can subtly shape our perception of historical events or perpetuate societal biases.
Today, Narratology and Discourse Analysis continue to evolve, informing not only literary criticism but also fields such as media studies, political science, and artificial intelligence. Their enduring legacy lies in their capacity to illuminate the hidden structures and subtle strategies that shape our understanding of the world, prompting us to question whose stories are told, how they are told, and to what ends. Are we truly aware of the narratives that govern our lives, or are we merely characters within someone else's story?