Story and Narrative Characterization: Exploring Identity, Meaning,and Experience in Narrative Literature

The term “story” refers to works that “have a specific length and content which convey an incident.” Each story is composed of several elements: plot, action, character, dialogue, crisis, time, and place. These elements are not isolated; they are interconnected. The most important elements۱of a story are action and character. Some have considered character to be the most important element and have said that in a story, action is a partial aspect of character.The first analysis of character is found in Aristotle’s Poetics. During the modern period of storytelling (from Don Quixote onwards), character has undergone significant changes. In the early periods, character development was detailed and precise; however, later character development became brief, concise, and fleeting, to the point where some contemporary writers create faceless and unidentified characters to engage readers in the story. These characters lack detailed descriptions, leaving their appearances and personalities largely undefined. This technique further engages readers, inviting them to participate in the story by envisioning the characters in their own way. Despite their lack of physical descriptions, these faceless characters can still have a profound impact on the narrative, demonstrating the enduring power of character in storytelling.This shift reflects changes in literary styles and reader preferences. The detailed descriptions of the past gave way to subtler characterizations, where much is left to the readers’ imagination. This approach allows readers to engage more actively with the story and filling in the gaps with their interpretations.

کلیدواژه ها:

Story ، Character ، Character Development ، Literature