Literary Analysis of Scriptures and Written Stories to Facilitate Their Understanding - Essay Example

Narrative Criticism Introduction The concept of narrative criticism entails literary analysis of scriptures and written stories to facilitate their understanding. In most cases, narrative criticism has been applied in analyses of biblical stories and other forms of gospel scriptures (perspectives.org.au). Some scholars have also claimed that it is an appropriate method that has been used to analyze various facets of written materials i.e. stories in order to understand them in relation to how they reflect real life scenarios (Byron, 11). Over the last three decades, different perspectives of narrative criticism have emerged; some people have claimed that narrative criticism is a fundamental tool in communication processes owing to the fact that it facilitates the understanding of texts and how they reflect on human life structures, thus creating a platform for information sharing and exchange (Pullman, 7). Different Perspectives of Narrative Criticism from Various Critics As a method of literary analysis, this approach has been a subject of negative and positive criticism. To begin with, some scholars have claimed that the application narrative criticism is majorly based on a dimension of literary analysis that allows readers to assess literary works in a holistic manner, by noting different characteristics and styles that are similar to other literary works, taking into consideration, the beginning, middle as well as the end (Powell, 3). On the other hand, some narrative critics have asserted that it is basically a method that does not focus on a holistic analysis of literary works, but rather focus on specific elements of literary works, which seem relevant to the story line or the main theme. Moreover, this group of critics has claimed the narrative criticism is a basic tool for literary analysis that engages its readers through understanding how the literary works relate with real life experiences (Byron, 13). This is usually achieved through various points of view passed by the narrators and relating them to the real life experiences of its readers. According to Allan Powell (1990), Narrative criticism can be considered a function of events. This is because in its application, a high sense of priority is given to the text from the ideas of ‘implied readers’ and ‘implied author’: The essence of implied author as well as implied reader are usually determined by signatures emerging from the text. Powell also asserts that narrative criticism is a function of events, basically due to the fact that it involves taking into consideration characters and settings of a literary analysis that forms its overall plot (6). Importance of Applying Narrative Criticism There are various reasons why most scholars in the contemporary society apply narrative criticism in their literary analyses works. The first reason why narrative criticism has been given an increased consideration in literary analysis is due to the fact that it is associated with the advantage of helping students to explicate complex ideas. Additionally, the application of narrative criticism in the analysis of literary works has been associated with facilitating the understanding and interpretation of literary works, while making attempts to align them to the real life experiences. From a Christina perspective, narrative criticism has enhanced the understanding of Holy Scriptures and applying its concepts in real life experience (Powell, 7). Many scholars are also currently applying narrative criticism in learning systems, where narrative criticism is taught as a subject. Many scholars have published books describing various aspects of literary criticism. In this regard, literary criticism cannot only be regarded as a tool for acquisition of knowledge, but also a tool for earning income through publishing books. One of the famous writers in regard to literary criticism is Allan Powell: He has provided an in-depth of literary criticism in his book, “What is Narrative Criticism?” where; explicates issues ascribed to narrative criticism and differentiate it from other approaches and describe its relationship with Biblical narratives as well as secular literature (Powell, 11). How Narrative Criticism Operates The application of narrative criticism to undertake analysis of literature depends on the objectives and goals of the analysis. That is, this method can be applied to analyze documented materials, through taking into consideration the needs of the reader and to some extent the intentions of the writer. The first approach that can be used to apply this method involves its application in biblical criticism: Through this approach, the major focus is directed towards historical dimension of biblical literature for instance: The four books of the New Testaments describe the life of Jesus Christ; these books can be analyzed by relating the concepts passed through them with real life experiences through: Analyzing the social, political, historical, author and audience. Narrative criticism can also be applied by focusing on three major elements of literature, which are: The beginning, middle and the end of the literature. Through this approach, one focuses on the theme of a text or documentation, basically trying to understand the main message that the author is trying to pass across (Intention of the author). This is followed by an analysis of the middle of the literature or the climax, focusing on issues like characters, while making attempts to connect this with the theme of the story. Consequently, the last section of this approach involves focusing on how the literary work ends i.e. by asking the question, what does the author conclude? And how can this are connected to the theme of the story and in real life experience. The pioneer of this approach is Allan Powell; who refers to the elements of this approach as principles. Powell has been renowned for his contribution towards the application of narrative criticism in the analysis of the books like, Mark, John, Luke and Mathew; he describes how the application of the design involving introduction, middle and the end can be used to explicate Jesus’ life as indicated in these books. Narrative criticism can also be undertaken through a design of ‘close-reading’; this approach involves a careful analysis and interpretation of passages within a text, paying a keen interest on specific elements of the text, rather than a holistic focus on the text (James, 21). This technique has undergone various modifications from time to time due to improvements made by scholars regarding its use. In most cases, it is an approach that is used to criticize various passages within a text book or even the verses of a Bible. James Resseguie is one of the scholars that has documented how narrative criticism, through a close-reading approach can be used to facilitate the understanding of literary works, the Bible inclusive. He believes the close-reading approach is usually aesthetically rewarding and intellectual. In his book, “Narrative Criticism of the New Testament”, James demonstrates how the close-reading approach can be used to facilitate an in-depth understanding of the various elements indicated in the four books of the New Testament (James, 23). Another person that has shown how narrative criticism can be used to facilitate the understanding of Holy Scriptures from a personal perspective is Philip Pullman. He is among the writers who have been considered to facilitate the re-orientation of Narrative criticism: In his book, the “The Good man Jesus and the Scoundrel Jesus”, he describes the main reason why he published such a text after reading the bible. His major reason emerge from the fact that he had three major understanding of the bible, where he claims that some parts of the bible seems like fairy tale to him, while others appear like history, while other parts sounded like novels. According to Pullman, his perspective of the understanding different perspectives of a story assists one to understand how stories about stories can become stories (17). Limitations of Narrative Criticism in relation to the Three Pioneers discussed Taking into consideration the approaches that have been provided by various scholars, in relation to the application of narrative criticism, a number of issues arise: With specific consideration given to Allan Powell perspectives of narrative criticism, there are certain limitations the one be identify. To begin with, Allan Powell presents and explicates an approach that focuses on three main elements of a text, which are; the introduction, the middle of a text and the end. This approach is subject to several limitations. The first limitation occurs from the fact that these method does not take into consideration minor elements of a text such as abstract and the conclusion. It is imperative to note that these elements of a text that may contain information not mentioned within the text. From a personal perspective, if this approach was to be improved, it should be formulated in a manner that other minor elements of a text are also taken into consideration for instance: Quotes, abstract, conclusion and recommendations. The ‘close-reading’ approach pioneered by James Resseguie, is also characterized by certain limitations. The first limitation is the approach seems vague owing to the fact that James does not indicate the specific elements taken into consideration as one performs a close reading of an article. In order to ensure that this approach is effectively improved, it should be applied in a manner that it takes into consideration to certain elements of the text i.e. characters, mood, theme, concepts among others. In relation to Pullman’s approach, it is evidently confusing. He presents a scenario where a single text can be understood from different perspectives, that is, from the perspective of history, from a perspective of a novel and from a perspective of a story. This is a confusing approach; however, it can be simplified by making readers focus on a single aspect of writing in order to determine whether or not it fits their objectives. Work Cited Powell, Mark Allan. What Is Narrative Criticism? Minneapolis: Fortress, 1990. Print. Top of Form Bottom of Form Resseguie, James L. Narrative Criticism of the New Testament: An Introduction. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2005. Print. Top of Form Bottom of Form Pullman, Philip. The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ. New York: Canongate :, 2010. Print. Top of Form Bottom of Form N, Byron. A Theory of Narrative Criticims. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 2008. Print. Top of Form Bottom of Form "Book Reviews." Perspective Online: Book Review: What Is Narrative Criticism? Web. 7 Nov. 2014. . Read More