Plato, Aristotle, Longinus Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is narratology?
The study of narrative structures
A branch of structuralism that has achieved independence.
Define ‘narrative’.
A structured account of events, real or imagined, presented in a purposeful sequence and interpreted through a particular perspective.
What is the difference between ‘story’ and ‘plot’?
‘Story’ is the actual sequence of events, while ‘plot’ is how those events are edited and presented.
What is ‘fabula’ and ‘syuzhet’ in Russian Formalism?
‘Fabula’ refers to ‘story’ and ‘syuzhet’ refers to ‘plot’.
What does Gérard Genette mean by ‘histoire’ and ‘recit’?
‘Histoire’ means ‘story’ and ‘recit’ means ‘narrative’.
What is Aristotle’s view on plot?
Plot is the structured arrangement of events in a tragedy or epic, considered the soul of tragedy.
What are the two types of plots according to Aristotle?
- Simple (haplos)
- Complex (peplegmenos)
What is ‘peripeteia’?
A reversal of fortune where the action turns around unexpectedly.
Define ‘anagnorisis’.
A recognition or discovery that changes the course of the action.
What is ‘hamartia’?
Tragic flaw.
What does ‘catharsis’ refer to in Aristotle’s categories?
The emotional release or purification that occurs in the audience.
Who is Vladimir Propp?
A Russian Formalist critic who analyzed Russian folk tales and identified recurrent structures.
What are Propp’s thirty-one functions?
Basic building blocks of tales that drive the story forward.
List the spheres of action identified by Propp.
- Hero
- Villain
- Dispatcher
- Helper
- Princess (or Prize)
- Donor
- False Hero
In the tale of Cinderella, who is the Hero?
Cinderella.
In the tale of Cinderella, who is the Villain?
Stepmother.
What is the focus of Propp’s analysis compared to Aristotle’s?
Propp focuses on plot mechanics rather than emotional or moral effects.
What is the difference between mimetic and diegetic modes of narration?
Mimetic shows the story as directly experienced, while diegetic tells the story with narration.
What are the three types of focalization?
- Zero Focalization (omniscient)
- Internal Focalization
- External Focalization
What is ‘heterodiegetic’ narration?
The narrator is not part of the story (third-person omniscient).
What is ‘homodiegetic’ narration?
The narrator is part of the story (first-person narrator).
What is ‘autodiegetic’ narration?
The narrator is also the main character.
Define ‘analepsis’.
A flashback where a past event is inserted into the present timeline.
Define ‘prolepsis’.
A flashforward where a future event is hinted at or shown ahead of time.
