106-257/357 Narrative

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Timetable:

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Subject Description:

This subject studies both the theory and practice of narrative using a variety of literary genres from classical to postmodern, and theoretical approaches from humanist to post-structuralist. The focus will be on how narratives have developed historically, how they 'work', how we may analyse different narrative forms using a common and effective vocabulary and set of assumptions, and how we evaluate and privilege certain forms of narrative. The set texts will include epic, folktale, and a range of fictional works, including realist, modernist and popular forms. Theoretical approaches by Bakhtin, Todorov, Barthes, Genette and Brooks will be drawn upon.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

Course reader available from the department.

• J Austen, Emma, Penguin.
• M Boyd, The Cardboard Crown, Lansdowne.
• G Chaucer, The Miller's Tale, The Reeves Tale, Penguin Masters.
• I Compton-Burnett, Parents and Children, Penguin.
• C Dickens, Hard Times, Penguin.
• W Faulkner, As I Lay Dying, Penguin.
• Fleming I, Goldfinger, (or similar action novel).