STRUCTURAL LEVELS IN NARRATIVE
The Verbal Level
The analysis of structure based on the verbal level focuses particularly on words or phrases that are repeated.
Genesis 1 “And there was evening and there was morning, the first (second, etc.) day” (vv. 5, 8, 13, 19, 23, and 31).
Job’s four messengers (Job 1): “I am the only one who has escaped to tell you” (vv. 15, 16, 17, and 19).
These are forms of narrative structure by means of comment. Other stylistic features in addition to repetition include the use of metaphors, similes, and unusual constructions of the grammar or syntax.
Genesis 1 “And there was evening and there was morning, the first (second, etc.) day” (vv. 5, 8, 13, 19, 23, and 31).
Job’s four messengers (Job 1): “I am the only one who has escaped to tell you” (vv. 15, 16, 17, and 19).
These are forms of narrative structure by means of comment. Other stylistic features in addition to repetition include the use of metaphors, similes, and unusual constructions of the grammar or syntax.
The Level of Narrative Technique
Structure at the narrative technique level is expressed by the alternating patterns of...dialogue versus narrator’s description, narration versus description, and comment or even explanation and presentation of scenes versus summary of the action. The first is the most important.
Narrative technique mainly affects the rate of progress in a narrative and the question of the order of the events. When the author uses scenic presentation, time goes by slowly and we are thereby forced to pay close attention to details to determine the direction. But when the author switches to summary statements, then time is accelerated and the point of the narrative may be stated more directly. Authors may break into their story at any point, doing so in accord with fixed techniques. One such marker is the frequent use of flashbacks to cover the background to the beginning of a narrative. In Hebrew, these flashbacks would be indicated by the use of the perfect verb rather than the normal imperfect.
Narrative technique mainly affects the rate of progress in a narrative and the question of the order of the events. When the author uses scenic presentation, time goes by slowly and we are thereby forced to pay close attention to details to determine the direction. But when the author switches to summary statements, then time is accelerated and the point of the narrative may be stated more directly. Authors may break into their story at any point, doing so in accord with fixed techniques. One such marker is the frequent use of flashbacks to cover the background to the beginning of a narrative. In Hebrew, these flashbacks would be indicated by the use of the perfect verb rather than the normal imperfect.
The Level of the Narrative World
The third structural level focuses on the narrative world, that is, the realm in which the story is set. It deals mainly with the two main components or contents of narratives: characters and events. Characters are developed with respect to their identity, their characteristics and their functions. Interpreters should notice the linking of the various characters as they appear in sequence in a text. Usually the character introduced second in a text becomes the first to appear in the next link as the narrative progresses. Following these links may provide a clue as to what the author wishes us to center our attention on. The relationships of the events of a story make up the plot. Many narratives have a single plot. In the entire book of Esther Haman’s effort to exterminate all the Jews takes center stage with Mordecai and Esther’s attempts to counter them taking a secondary role. Describing the plot usually boils down to simply paraphrasing the story. Common plot devices include the climax, the second climax and reversal. Usually plots ascend to the climax and then descend to a peaceful conclusion. Sometimes the narrative ascends immediately to a second climax (Job faced four messengers only to be confronted by three comforters). The sacrifice of Isaiah in Genesis 22 and Jacob’s return to meet Esau (Genesis 32 – 33) illustrate reversal.
The Level of Conceptual Content
This element focuses on themes, which are usually expressed in short phrases, or on ideas, which come in the form of complete sentences. Themes set forth the central issues of the narrative, while ideas point to the lesson, message or teaching found in the narrative. Since in the majority of cases both the themes and the ideas of the narrative will be merely implied, not stated explicitly, special care will need to be exercised. Nehemiah 4 –6 an illustration of both the themes and ideas.
In summary, we can use structural levels to demonstrate the unity of a narrative, determine the boundaries of a story, demonstrate the rhetorical or expressive values found within a text, understand the effect that the author wanted to have on the reader, and notice which elements of the text the author wished to highlight.