Literary Analysis and Narratology: Narrative Voice, Character Types, Time, and Setting

A comprehensive vocabulary review of core literary concepts, narrative perspectives, character types, chronological structures, and setting elements based on lecture notes.

Budskap (Message)

Something hidden in the text that the author wants the reader to figure out, often taking the form of a moral lesson to be learned (e.g., 'children must watch out!').

Synsvinkel (Point of View)

The perspective that determines who sees, experiences, and conveys the story to the reader.

Tema (Theme)

What a literary text is about on a deeper, underlying level (e.g., bullying).

Motiv (Motif)

The concrete, surface-level content of a text describing what actually takes place.

Handling (Plot / Action)

The sequence and progression of events in a narrative, also known as the plot.

Retrospektiv fortellerteknikk (Retrospective Narrative Technique)

A narrative technique of looking back at events that have already taken place.

1. personsynsvinkel (First-Person Point of View)

An 'I'-perspective or first-person narrative where the narrator actively participates within the narrative as a character.

Allvitende forteller (Omniscient Narrator)

A type of third-person narrator who knows all the characters' thoughts, feelings, and actions, as well as everything that has occurred and will occur.

Diegese (Diegesis)

The fictional world or reality created by the author within a literary narrative.

Narratør (Narrator)

The narrator or narrative voice ('røst') that recounts the events of the text.

Ekstradiegetisk forteller (Extradiegetic Narrator)

A narrator who is situated outside the fictional world (diegesis) being narrated.

Intradiegetisk forteller (Intradiegetic Narrator)

A narrator who is situated inside the text and exists within the fictional story world (diegesis).

Protagonist

The main character of a literary work around whom the plot and events primarily revolve.

Antagonist

A character or force that opposes and works against the protagonist, often acting as a negative force or adversary (e.g., Voldemort).

Rund karakter (Round Character)

A richly and deeply described character with complex, multi-faceted traits who undergoes development, depicted as a 'whole person'.

Flat karakter (Flat Character)

A sparingly described character about whom little is known, frequently representing a simplified stereotype or type (e.g., an evil stepmother).

Dynamisk karakter (Dynamic Character)

A character who changes and develops over the course of the story's events.

Kronologi (Chronology)

When events in a story are presented in chronological order from beginning to end (e.g., childhood, youth, adulthood).

Analepse (Analepsis / Flashback)

A look back or flashback to events that occurred before the narrative's 'present time' began.

Prolepse / Frampek (Prolepsis / Foreshadowing)

A narrative anticipation or foreshadowing that points forward and hints at what will happen in the future.

Sosialt miljø (Social Environment / Setting)

Descriptions depicting the types of people present in an environment, including their social standing, status, wealth, or background.

Lokalt miljø (Local Environment / Setting)

Descriptions focusing on the physical location, town, or setting where the narrative takes place.