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Prose Fiction: An Introduction to the Semiotics of Narrative
More info and resources at: https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0187

Contents

About the Author			vii
Acknowledgements			ix

Preface			xi

1.	Introduction		1
	1.1	What Is Narrative?	2
	1.2	Genres	4
	1.3	Prose Fiction	6
	1.4	Story and Discourse	9
	1.5	Beyond Literature	11
	Summary		13
	References		14

2.	Plot		17
	2.1	The Thread of Narrative	18
	2.2	Emplotment	20
	2.3	Beginnings, Middles, and Ends	22
	2.4	Conflict and Resolution	26
	2.5	Suspense and Surprise	29
	Summary		30
	References		31

3.	Setting		33
	3.1	The World of Narrative	34
	3.2	Topography and Atmosphere	36
	3.3	Kinds of Setting	38
	3.4	Description	40
	3.5	Verisimilitude	42
	Summary		44
	References		45

4.	Characterisation		47
	4.1	The Actants of Narrative	49
	4.2	Individuation	50
	4.3	Kinds of Character	54
	4.4	Representing Characters	57
	4.5	Dialogue	60
	Summary		62
	References		62

5.	Narration		65
	5.1	The Expression of Narrative	66
	5.2	Narrators and Narratees	68
	5.3	Focalisation	71
	5.4	Telling and Showing	74
	5.5	Commentary	76
	Summary		78
	References		79

6.	Language		81
	6.1	The Style of Narrative	82
	6.2	Foregrounding	84
	6.3	Figures of Speech	86
	6.4	Symbolism	89
	6.5	Translation	91
	Summary		93
	References		93

7.	Theme		95
	7.1	The Meaning of Narrative	96
	7.2	Identity	98
	7.3	Ideology	101
	7.4	Morality	103
	7.5	Art and Politics	105
	Summary		106
	References		107

Bibliography			109
Illustrations			113
Examples of Short Stories and Novels			119
Glossary of Narrative Terms			135

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