Narrative

A few questions to consider...

Watch this extract from classic teen movie 'Ferris Beuller's Day Off'.:

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Does anything unusual happen in terms of narrative (hint; pay attention at around the 3 minute mark...) What happens? Why does the director do it? What effect does it have? Can you think of other examples (in movies, TV programmes, books, games, comic strips...)?


 * What does 'narrative' mean? How does it differ from 'plot'?


 * What different types of narrative are there?


 * Read these extracts:

20 – 'It may be safely assumed...' 29-30 – All of ch. 18 34 – 36 – All of ch. 21 44 – 'This is the moment...' 59 – 'The reader is asked...' 98 - 'Before embarking...'


 * Who narrates this novel? What is the supposed purpose of this novel? To what extent does it fulfil this purpose? What is its actual purpose?


 * What sort of narrative is Boll using?


 * Is there anything unusual about the narrative?


 * Why does Boll construct this particular type of narrative? Does it help convey any of his themes?


 * Do you think that Boll's handling of the theme actually makes the novel more successful?