# narratology

> study of narrative structures

**Wikidata**: [Q382451](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q382451)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narratology)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/narratology

## Summary
Narratology is the study of narrative structures, functioning as an academic discipline and a subfield of literary theory. It examines the construction, consistency, and forms of narratives across various media, providing frameworks to analyze how stories are organized and understood.

## Key Facts
- **Definition**: The study of narrative structures.
- **Classification**: An academic discipline and an academic major.
- **Parent Field**: A subfield of literary theory, the systematic study of the nature of literature.
- **Related Fields**: Connected to folkloristics (the study of folklore) and the humanities.
- **Key Concepts**: Employs terms such as "fabula and syuzhet" to describe narrative construction and "continuity" to define the consistency of plot, characters, and settings.
- **Related Genres and Styles**: Associated with the "Iceberg Theory" writing style and the "low fantasy" subgenre.
- **Aliases**: Also known as narrative theory.
- **Sitelink Count**: 48 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects.
- **Identifiers**:
  - P227: 4152975-3
  - P244: sh85038364
  - P268: 11966797p
  - P373: Narratology
  - P508: 79863
  - P646: /m/035hsh
  - P691: ph500243
  - P950: XX553493
  - P1051: 7031
  - P1296: 0273561
  - P1368: 000061387
  - P1417: topic/narratology
  - P1814: ナラトロジー
  - P2347: 10906
  - P2924: 2250109
  - P3417: Narratology
  - P3827: narratology
  - P6293: Y107234
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  - P8189: 987007555297805171
  - P8309: 18-277138
  - P8313: narratologi
  - P8408: Narratology
  - P10283: C98369314
  - P12385: narratologia
  - P13591: concept/f5aab4a5-7dfb-4396-afa9-fe5d356ca89b

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary focus of narratology?
A: Narratology focuses on the study of narrative structures, analyzing how stories are constructed and organized. It serves as an academic discipline dedicated to understanding the mechanics of narrative.

### Q: How is narratology related to other academic fields?
A: It is a subfield of literary theory and is closely connected to folkloristics. Additionally, it intersects with the humanities and serves as an academic major leading to a degree.

### Q: What specific terms are used within narratology?
A: Key terms include "fabula and syuzhet," which describe narrative construction, and "continuity," which refers to the consistency of characters, plot, objects, and places over time.

### Q: Who are some notable figures associated with narratology?
A: Notable figures include Marie-Laure Ryan, known for her work in digital narratives; Irene de Jong, a Dutch classicist; and Lubomír Doležel, a Czech linguist. Other associated scholars include Ruth A. Berman and Chinese novelist Ge Fei.

### Q: What are some related concepts or genres in narratology?
A: Narratology relates to the "Iceberg Theory" writing style of Ernest Hemingway and the "low fantasy" subgenre defined by mundane settings. It also encompasses the study of electronic literature and digital media.

## Why It Matters
Narratology is crucial for providing the theoretical tools necessary to deconstruct and understand narratives in both traditional and modern contexts. By defining the structural elements of storytelling, such as continuity and the distinction between fabula and syuzhet, it allows scholars and critics to analyze the deeper mechanics of literature and film. Its relevance has expanded in the digital age, where it helps explain how stories function across different platforms and technologies, influencing fields from literary theory to digital humanities. Furthermore, its connection to folkloristics underscores its importance in preserving and analyzing cultural heritage through narrative traditions.

## Notable For
- Being defined specifically as the study of narrative structures.
- Operating as a distinct academic discipline and major.
- Utilizing the terminology "fabula and syuzhet" to describe narrative construction.
- Establishing the concept of "continuity" regarding the consistency of narrative elements.
- Serving as a foundational subfield within literary theory.
- Intersecting with digital media and electronic literature through contemporary scholarship.

## Body
### Academic Classification and Context
Narratology is classified as an academic discipline and a field of study, often pursued as an academic major leading to a degree. It operates as a subfield of literary theory, which is the systematic study of the nature of literature, examining literary forms, structures, and interpretations. Within the broader academic landscape, narratology is connected to the humanities and is related to folkloristics, a branch of anthropology devoted to the study of folklore. The discipline is recognized by various institutional identifiers, including the Library of Congress Control Number (sh85038364) and the GND ID (11966797p).

### Core Concepts and Terminology
The field employs specific terminology to analyze narrative construction. The terms "fabula and syuzhet" are central to narratology, used to describe the organization of narrative elements. Additionally, the concept of "continuity" is vital within the discipline, referring to the consistency of characteristics of people, plot, objects, and places perceived by the reader or viewer over time. Narratology also engages with literary devices and styles, such as the "Iceberg Theory," the writing style of American writer Ernest Hemingway, and genres like "low fantasy," a subgenre defined by a "mundane" setting.

### Associated Scholars and Contributors
Numerous scholars have contributed to the field of narratology, often bridging it with other disciplines.
- **Marie-Laure Ryan**: A literary scholar, academic, and critic born in 1946 in Geneva, Switzerland. Ryan is known for her interdisciplinary work spanning literary theory, narratology, and internet culture. She received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2001 and is recognized for applying computational and internet-era perspectives to traditional literary studies, particularly in the realm of electronic literature.
- **Irene de Jong**: A Dutch classicist whose work contributes to the understanding of narrative structures within classical literature.
- **Lubomír Doležel**: A Czech linguist and university educator (1922–2017) who contributed to the theoretical foundations of the field.
- **Ruth A. Berman**: An Israeli linguist whose research intersects with narrative studies.
- **Ge Fei**: A Chinese novelist whose occupation highlights the practical application of narrative theory in literary creation.

### Interdisciplinary Connections
Narratology maintains strong ties to various domains of study. It is a subfield of literary theory, which itself encompasses methodologies like structuralism and postmodernism. It is also a related subfield of folkloristics, where it aids in the analysis of traditional beliefs, stories, and customs. The field's evolution is marked by its adaptation to contemporary challenges, such as the analysis of digital narratives and electronic literature, ensuring its continued relevance in understanding storytelling in a technological society.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://www.euskaltzaindia.eus/index.php?option=com_xslt&view=frontpage&layout=lth_detail&Itemid=474&search=narratologia)
3. Quora
4. National Library of Israel
5. KBpedia
6. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)