Unseen Prose

Question 1

What are the things you need to discuss in ‘Unseen Prose’?

Answer 1

1. Narrative Voice/ Perspective

2. Structure

Question 2

What are the THREE types of ‘Narrative Voice’?

Answer 2

1. First Person (I, us, etc)
2. Third Person (Him, her, them, etc)\
3. Omniscient (All knowing)

Question 3

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of First Person Narration?

Answer 3

Adv:

• Creates illusion that novel is real
• Makes reader more involved
• Makes reader empathise more with narrator

Dis:

• Limits our perspective.
• Can’t know events narrator doesn’t witness or isn’t told about by another character, unreliable narrator

Question 4

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Third Person Narration?

Answer 4

Adv:

• Can be omniscient – all knowing
• Can create dramatic irony and suspense
• Can be intrusive and self-conscious
• Better descriptions

Dis:

• Can be limited to one/ two characters point of view.
• Unintrusive and unself conscious – reader is not aware of a narrator

Question 5

What are the TWO types of Structure?

Answer 5

1. Dynamic Structure – Sequence of events, usually a series of “cause and effect” events, create the plot and drive the text forward.
2. Symmetric structure – Network of threads that run through the text, repeated images, parallels, cross references, binary opposites, language patterns, these shape the text.

Question 6

What are the FIVE main types of Overall Structures?

Answer 6

1. Frame Story – One narrative is embedded is another narrative, prologue, epilogues.
2. Episodic Structure – A series of chapters or stories linked together by the same character, place, or theme but held apart by their individual plot, purpose, and subtext.
3. Parallel Narratives – Several characters are followed alternatively.
4. One story told by two different voiced
5. Generic Structure – follows conventions