A narrative is the relay of an event through various mediums ranging from the most simplistic to complex forms by a narrator. As Kreiswirth simply puts it, “something happened; or better, someone telling someone else that something happened.”[1] Considering the effects of narratives through the Cyber in addition to the more traditional methods of narration, more senses become involved in terms of the interpretation and the absorption of the material. Similar to the communication model, there must be a sender and receiver; it is essential, however, that there is a form of reaction displayed by the receiving end or the audience which “provokes active thinking and helps us work through problems, even as we tell about them or hear them being told.”[2] Without a doubt, there will be variability in the understanding of a narrative due to physical, cultural and emotional factors, however in general sense, according to Abbott, there are frameworks and templates built into the minds of individuals to look for story. With this said, it becomes the job of the narrator activate these templates.[3]
There is a distinction which may not be recognized when it comes to the portrayal of these events that makes a story unique from a narration. A story takes into consideration chronology and sequence as narration takes into consideration the rendering and representation.[4] These tie in with the functions of time and space allowing each member of the audience to build upon their individual interpretations “influencing our perceptions of the world and, indeed, our experience of time and space themselves.”[5] Ultimately, the role of narrator can be played by anybody with something to say or show and the output varies incredibly depending on the receiver.
[1] Kreiswirth, Martin: Merely Telling Stories? Narrative and Knowledge in the Human Sciences. Poestics Today 21:2 (Summer 2000), Print. p.294.
[2] Abbott, H. Porter. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrativ. Second Ed. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Print. p.12.
[3] Abbott, H. Porter. The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative. Second Ed. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Print. p.8.
[4] Herman, David. The Cambridge Companion to Narrative. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print. p.63.
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