Chrononarratology: Modelling Historical Change for Narratology

ABSTRACT:In this article, we introduce chrononarratology as a programmatic term for a way of “doing” narratology that addresses some of the major challenges and tendencies of narrative theory. Chrononarratology builds on and takes seriously the increasing interest in historical and diachronic approaches to narrative within narratology in recent years. We begin by offering a meta-analysis of what exactly narratologists have been engaged in when they use the labels “historical” and “diachronic” narratology. The results of our meta-analysis mark the starting point for outlining chrononarratology as a framework. Chrononarratology offers a perspective that can inform narratological work in all its theoretical paradigms. It invites narratology to take into account historical change and the importance of narrative’s situatedness and calls for collaborations between scholars working on different periods. In order to arrive at chrononarratology, one does not have to change the materials one works with, but approach them with a deeper historical awareness. We conclude with a list of reflective questions for those who wish to make their own approach more chrononarratological.