Part 2: Story: events, structure and outlines

Part 2: Story: events, structure and outlines

Project: What is narrative?

When I began researching the differences between plot, narrative and story I came across a wealth of information relating to various methods, ideas and techniques.  

It seems that Aristotle was one the first to recognise the difference between ‘story’ and ‘plot’, but it was Forster (1927) who defined the meaning of each by describing ‘story’ as the chronological series of occurrences, with the ‘plot’ relating to how these occurrences are caused and the logical processes they go through to connect with one another. 

Story

Much like Forster, Zucker-Scharff (2011) describes ‘story’ as, “a sequence of events. So when thinking of a story it is A then B then C then D, the set of relevant events in chronological order.”

As I understand it, the ‘story’ relates to the bare facts, with very little descriptive text or drama.  For example:

Ian wakes and has a shower.  He eats breakfast and is called into work.  He comes home from work and then goes to the pub.   He sees his friends and then comes home and goes to bed. 

This ‘story’ tells us exactly what Ian has done and what is going to happen.  However, it does not elaborate on events or give the audience any indication of who Ian is. 

Plot

From my research, my understanding is that the plot provides a deeper insight into the story and how the events and linked together.  Scott-Bell (2004:6) writes that plot, “…is supposed to transport people, move them through the power of the story.  Plot is the power grid that makes it [the story] work.”

Although not telling the whole story, the plot gives more detail about both the story and the character.  For example, the plot of my story above could be:

Ian, a lonely retired detective is called back to work to investigate a series of murders.  Throughout the course of the day he is involved in a number of incidents involving the Mafia and uncovers the truth about his wife’s murder. Upon solving the case, Ian meets the Police Chief in a pub where he is offered a highly lucrative position at Scotland Yard.  Ian, still wracked by the loss of his wife, refuses the offer and returns to his empty house. 

In contrast to the ‘story’, this passage provides a deeper level to the story.  We learn a lot of what will happen in the story and some of the dramatic events that occur.  It links each event in the story and gives the whole piece more meaning.

Gustav Freytag (1863) had some interesting ideas surrounding plot and developed the Freytag Pyramid, which outlines the basic and essential elements of developing and writing a successful plot.  He believed that the ‘parts’ to a great plot were: exposition, action through conflict, a climactic event, a falling action and a final resolution. 

Narrative

In its simplest terms I would describe narrative as the sequence in which the audience view the events to maximise dramatic effect and empathy.  It is not the story itself, but the way in which the story is told.  For example, using my earlier plot I can ‘reshuffle’ events to create a larger sense of drama, tension and understanding of the character. 

Ian and the Police Chief are sitting in a bar and Ian is offered a lucrative job.  Ian angrily refuses and returns home to bed.  Whilst in bed Ian, unable to sleep, replays in his head the series of events that lead him to this place...That morning Ian woke up, obviously alone and began to get ready to start his day…

This narrative would continue to tell of the events that Ian has experienced throughout the day, leading back to the bar where the narrative begins. 

There are believed to be six main elements of narrative that are; plot, setting, characterisation, atmosphere, point of view and conflict. 

Conclusion

Despite spending countless hours trying to ascertain the difference between the story, narrative and plot, I found the information to be extremely confusing.  Many internet resources have differing opinions of the meaning of each of these terms and texts by authors such as E.M Forster which offer a 'definition' are even more confusing.

I am hoping that this section will enable me to gain and better insight into the difference between these terms and I will aim to write up a clear and concise definition for both.