Investigating narrative devices in Ransom and

Transcript:Investigating narrative devices in Ransom and:
Investigating narrative devices in Ransom and Invictus Flashbacks, flash-forwards, present tense, ‘over-the-shoulder’ shots and parallel editing Essential Question: In what ways do Eastwood and Malouf use narrative devices to convey themes, issues and ideas through their texts? Success Criteria – we will: Analyse Malouf's use of flashbacks, present tense and flash-forwards Analyse Eastwood's use of over-the-shoulder shots and parallel editing Compare and contrast the meaning conveyed through the narrative devices in Ransom and Invictus How to use this PowerPoint… The first few slides feature information about the structure and style of each text, with reference to literary and filmic devices (underlined and featured in bold). These will be the metalanguage words you use in your essays and your writing tasks. This will be useful to you when studying narrative devices and when using metalanguage in your essays The activities you are required to complete are emboldened and featured in red later on Narrative devices Narrative devices provide insight to the audience on: The experience and feelings of individual characters The experiences and feelings of many characters/broader society Narrative devices relate to the ways that texts have been structured (ordering and depiction of events) and the style of the text (the language, literary or filmic devices used) Ransom: Comments on Structure Ransom is a novel in five parts. These parts are not named, rather numbered. The plot of the novel is generated from the narrative perspective of characters that are pivotal to the narrative. The narrative voice uses a limited omniscience to describe both the physical and mental state of each main character. Throughout the novel there is very little dialogue used to drive the narrative forward, rather it is driven by the internal reflection of the main characters as they consider the past and the future direction which their lives may take. Malouf orientates his readers to the background and history of his characters via their thoughts. This introspection does move the narrative forward, but at a controlled pace. This, in turn, allows for description of setting to complement the thoughts and mood of each character as they contemplate their actions, as well as the wider significance of the events within which they are embroiled. There is also no real antagonist in the narrative. Malouf deliberately gives the reader legitimate reasons to feel empathy toward Achilles, even though his defiling of Hector’s body is an affront to everyone, including the