SF3 - Lesson: Function of Plot, Structure and Narrative Voice

Function of Plot, Structure, and Narrative Voice

Pacing is the manipulation of time in a text. Several factors contribute to the pace of a narrative, including arrangement of details, frequency of events, narrative structures, syntax, the tempo or speed at which events occur, or shifts in tense and chronology in the narrative.

Narrative pacing may evoke an emotional reaction in readers by the order in which information is revealed; the relationships between the information, when it is provided, and other parts of the narrative; and the significance of the revealed information to other parts of the narrative. Some narrators or speakers may provide details and information that others do not or cannot provide. Multiple narrators or speakers may provide contradictory information in a text.

Image note: To the right is the painting Gas by Edward Hopper, painted in 1940.

Narrative Pacing and Design

Both Chekhov's "The Lady with the Pet Dog" and Oates' "The Lady with the Pet Dog" are segmented narratives, sharing a semblance in their narrative pacing. Despite this, the two tales diverge in their plot progressions.

Chekhov's narrative adheres to a linear structure, following the conventional plot diagram. The protagonist undergoes a series of events, leading to a climax or epiphany, and culminating in an ambiguous resolution that hints at a potential continuation in the next chapter.
On the contrary, Oates opts for a circular narrative approach, where events unfold out of sequence. The character seems to reexperience and cycle through events repeatedly.

Through the use of distinct plot structures, each author communicates unique themes and perspectives on the nature of love in their respective stories.

Questions to Develop Sophistication in Analysis

Once we get past the narrator’s effect on plot structure, we can even develop our analysis further with critical lenses.

The most obvious difference between these two stories is that one is written by a male, and one is written by a female. Briefly consider how this difference in gender affects the overall meaning and impressions of the story.

Questions like the following can help you arrive at more sophistication with your analysis:

Is the story different because a male wrote one and a female wrote the other?
Does the gender of the author affect the focus of the story? For example, in Chekov it is from the man’s perspective, in Oates it is from the female’s perspective.
How do both stories depict the female protagonist's agency and autonomy in the context of societal expectations during the time the story was written?
In what ways does the narrative explore traditional gender roles, and how does the female character challenge or conform to these roles within the societal framework presented in the story?
How are female relationships portrayed in the narrative, and do they reflect or challenge conventional notions of female solidarity or competition within a patriarchal society?
Analyze the language and descriptions used to characterize the female protagonist. How does the narrative language contribute to or challenge stereotypical representations of women in literature?
Consider the impact of the story's resolution on the female character. Does the conclusion empower or constrain her, and how does this reflect broader feminist themes present in the narrative?

Reflection

As we move beyond merely perceiving the plot as a sequence of events and the narrator as a storyteller, recognizing them as integral components of storytelling leads us to more profound levels of analysis and sophistication. This elevated engagement not only enhances comprehension but also cultivates a nuanced grasp of narrative intricacies, prompting a deeper exploration of themes, character dynamics, and the author's artistic craftsmanship.

[CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Links to an external site.] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION - INTENDED ONLY FOR USE WITHIN LESSON.