Narrative framing

Definition

Narrative framing is the technique of presenting a story within a specific context that influences how the audience interprets the events and characters. This approach shapes the perception of the narrative by establishing particular themes, perspectives, and ideologies, often highlighting or obscuring certain aspects of the story to guide reader responses.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Narrative framing can emphasize colonial perspectives by highlighting stories from the colonizer's viewpoint while marginalizing indigenous voices.
2. In literature related to imperialism, narrative framing can manipulate historical accounts to portray colonization as a civilizing mission.
3. Authors use narrative framing to critique or reinforce power dynamics between colonizers and colonized societies.
4. Different frames can lead to varying interpretations of characters' motivations and actions, impacting readers' sympathies.
5. The choice of narrative frame can shape the overall message of a literary work, revealing biases or ideologies inherent in the storytelling.

Review Questions

• How does narrative framing influence the reader's interpretation of colonial literature?
  • Narrative framing significantly influences how readers interpret colonial literature by shaping their understanding of characters, events, and themes. When narratives are framed from the colonizer's perspective, it often leads to a portrayal that justifies imperial actions and presents colonized people in a subordinate light. This framing can obscure the complexity of indigenous cultures and experiences, creating a skewed understanding that aligns with colonial ideologies.
• In what ways can an author use narrative framing to critique imperialism in their work?
  • An author can utilize narrative framing to critique imperialism by deliberately choosing perspectives that challenge dominant colonial narratives. For instance, by using first-person accounts from indigenous characters or employing multiple viewpoints, authors can highlight the injustices faced by colonized societies. This approach not only exposes the flaws in imperialist ideologies but also invites readers to reconsider their assumptions about power dynamics and cultural superiority.
• Evaluate how different narrative frames might alter the perception of historical events in post-colonial literature.
  • Different narrative frames can dramatically alter the perception of historical events in post-colonial literature by providing varying levels of insight into the experiences of both colonizers and the colonized. A narrative framed through an indigenous character's perspective may reveal resistance, resilience, and cultural richness that traditional histories overlook. Conversely, a colonial frame might focus on conquest and 'civilization,' thus obscuring the complexities and consequences of such actions. This evaluation helps highlight how narratives shape our understanding of history and identity in post-colonial contexts.

Related terms

Metafiction: A form of fiction that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, often blurring the boundary between fiction and reality.

Point of View: The perspective from which a narrative is told, impacting how events and characters are presented to the audience.

Cultural Context: The environment of ideas, customs, and social behavior that influences the creation and interpretation of a narrative.