Narrative

A narrative is a spoken, written or visualized account of connected events; a story.

A narrative may be narrated verbally or visually, by using a series of words, actions, visuals such as images, or moving images. This may be narrated in first person, second person, and third person. Each serving its own purpose. Basically, ‘If it tells a story, it’s a narrative’ (Landis, 2021).

Class discussion

In class, a few scenarios for narratives were discussed, mentioning famous images with a narrative of their own.

The photo is busy with street life. Sailors with smiles on their faces, possibly returning from their deployment out at war. The main subjects in the image share a moment. Who knows how long its been since they last saw each other, or if they actually knew each other in the first place?

With one simple image, you can tell a story. Clearly, it would be open to interpretation, but that is what makes it more interesting in my opinion.

In this image we see three characters. All in their own world. One seems to be on stilts, the other possibly holding a cigarette, and the youngest fascinated in how tall the one on stilts is.

One can go on and on with ideas and interpretations, even having questions like where are their parents? or why kids being allowed to do this?

 

Task:

We were given the task to re-narrate the tale as old as time of Little Red Riding Hood. Here is my take;

Little Red Riding Hood, Lost But Never Forgotten.

A curious girl, wearing a cozy red coat, enjoys exploring new places. She finds an interesting building with a welcoming character, who is wearing a strange mask. The girl is curious to what the character has to say…

Needless to say, it was at this moment that the girl knew… she shouldn’t have trusted this man.

The girl was never seen again, nor her were her remains found.

Rumour has it, this strange character is still there to this day, inviting girls and boys to this mysterious building.