Literary Analysis: Structure and Forms of Narrative Texts

Posted on Jan 2, 2026 in Latin

Narrative Texts: Definition and Structure

Narrative texts relate real or imagined events that happen to characters developed in space and time.

Essential Elements of Narrative

  • The Narrator: Recounts the events or circumstances that happen to the characters. The story can be told in:
    • First Person: As a character involved in the story (autobiographical).
    • Third Person: Without intervening in the history (as a witness), or taking an omniscient stance (knowing the feelings, thoughts, and emotions of the characters, e.g., Don Quixote).
    • Second Person: Rare, often used to address the character directly (a hallmark of Juan Goytisolo).

    Events are sometimes known through the actors’ dialogue (Direct Style).

  • The Narratee: The reader.
  • Narrated Universe: Composed of facts or events—actions that take place in the development of the story. The structure may be:
    • Chronological: From the origin of the facts until the denouement (presentation, middle, and end).
    • Flashback (Analepsis): Merging the present event with events in the past.
    • Prolepsis: Anticipating future events.
    • In Medias Res: Beginning at a point in the middle of the development.
    • Open-Ended: Without a definitive conclusion.
  • The Characters: Actors or receivers of what happens in the narrative. There are major and minor players.
  • The Time: The historical time in which the story is located, and the duration time of the story itself.
  • The Place or Space: Where events happen. This may be one or more settings, open or closed, real or imagined, urban or rural, public or private.
  • The Atmosphere: The set of social, economic, and cultural circumstances influencing the characters, either positively or negatively.

A. Fictional Narrative Forms

1. Novel

A story of considerable extent, developing facts in depth and amplitude. It is usually divided into chapters. According to their characteristics, novels are classified into:

  • Pastoral: (e.g., La Galatea of Cervantes)
  • Picaresque: (e.g., Lazarillo de Tormes)
  • Sentimental
  • Chivalry: (e.g., Amadis of Gaul)
  • Byzantine: (e.g., Adventures of Jerónimo and the Jungle by Contreras)
  • Moorish: (e.g., History of the Abencerraje and the Beautiful Jarifa)
  • Traditionalist: (e.g., Sketches and Scratches by José María de Pereda)
  • Historical: (e.g., Sancho Saldaña by Espronceda)
  • Naturalist: (e.g., Reeds and Mud by Blasco Ibáñez)
  • Erotic: (e.g., The Ages of Lulu by Almudena Grandes)
  • Police/Detective: (e.g., The Red Sister by Francisco García Pavón)

2. Tale (Cuento)

A short story about simple facts that happen to a few characters, featuring a quick denouement. If it intends to teach a moral, it is called an apologue. There are moralistic folktales passed down orally (e.g., Cinderella) and known author accounts (e.g., Stories of Count Lucanor by Juan Manuel).

3. Short Story (Novela Corta)

A story intermediate in length between novels and tales (e.g., The Little Gypsy by Cervantes).

4. Legend

A short story that differs from the tale in that its subjects are taken from historical events or popular traditions. Romance writers invent legends in prose or verse, including fantastic and mysterious elements (e.g., Bécquer’s Legends, such as The Mount of the Souls).

B. Nonfictional Narrative Forms

These are factual accounts found in:

  • Interpersonal Relations: Letters and email.
  • Journalistic Media: News, reports, and pictorials.
  • Literature: Diaries, memoirs, and autobiography.

Historical Context: Epic Narrative

In ancient Greece, the terms epic and narrative were used synonymously. Today, epic narratives tend to be viewed as extensive works recounting the heroic exploits of heroes. Verse forms highlight:

  • Epic Poetry
  • Chansons de Geste (Songs of Deeds)
  • Romances