Narrative Techniques in Literature

1. Foreshadowing: It is a narrative device in which a storyteller/narrator gives an advance hint

of what is to come later. It provides a hint about something which is going to happen later.

2. Character Development: It will take on the personal views, morals & even personality traits
of their author when using this narrative techniques.

3. Perspective: When using this narrative perspective, a writer tells the story from the point of
view of one character. In most cases this is the protagonist but not always.

4. Theme: Theme describes the central ideas that a piece of writing explores. It’s the core
idea/message that resonates with your readers.

5. Plot: A. It refers to all the events that contribute to the story. It has a starting point, it’s
generally in sequence, it also comes with sudden twist. Plot Twists are a great device for keeping
readers hooked. This technique takes the narrative in a completely unexpected direction. Just When
we think we know what’s happening, something totally different happens.

6. Flashback: It is a narrative technique that involves interrupting the chronological order of the
story to present events that occurred in the past. This technique is often used to provide background
information & to explain the character’s motivations.

7. Flashback & flash forward: These techniques takes us out of the linear time frame
/sequential time frame of a story. Enabling us to see things that have happened in the past/ that
could possibly happen to the characters in the future.

8. Setting: refers to the surroundings where the story/ the events being narrated happen. The
setting of the narrative plays an imp. Role in setting the mood of the entire piece.

9. Personification: It is a narrative technique where human characteristics are given to non

human character.

10. Symbolism: Symbolism are often used in the stories to represent themes & moods. We all
know, for example storm clouds likely to present trouble& sun shining gives optimistic mood.

11. First Person Narrative: First person narrative is a point of view where the story is narrated by
one character at a time.

12. Third Person Omniscient Narrative: It is a technique that involves telling the story from the
perspective of an all knowing narrator. This technique allows the author to provide insight into the
thoughts & feelings of all the characters in the story.

13. Stream of Consciousness: It is a narrative technique in literature where a writer presents the
continuous flow of thoughts, feeling and perspectives.

14. Narrative Hook: It is the opening of a short story/ a novel that hooks the readers attention
and makes them want to keep reading.

15. Back story: It is used when the author feels it is important for the readers to know something
that has happened prior to the actual events.

16. Frame Story: A frame narrative is ‘story within a story’ a technique storytellers use in which
the narrator in one setting tells a story set in another.
17. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a style technique involving an intense exaggeration to convey a fact.
Writers often include hyperbole to emphasize a viewpoint.

18. Cliffhanger:It is when a story is left open-ended and unsolved .

19. Style: is characterized by the kind of language used by writer to narrate,and this differs from
genre to genre.

20. Conflict: is the point of tension in the narrative where a problem arises.This point changes
the course of the narrative and leads it to the expected or unexpected end.

Narrative Techniques used in ‘The Last Lesson’

1.Theme:The narrative is Theme- based, where the development of the character and the plot
centres around universal theme of Patriotism,Linguistic Chauvinism and procrastination is evident.
The longing to learn the mother tongue and love for it. It has a sense of patriotism . In the ‘Last
Lesson’ the Prussians rejected the freedom of the people of Alsace and Lorraine to learn their own
mother tongue and started forcing German to them.

2.Contrast:Reciting the “Angelus” afterschool prayer as the last glimpse of French liberation in
contrasr to the Prussian trumpets ,signaling the loss of freedom, represent Prussian Invasion.Franz
account of how school usually was & what it was like on the last day of class, it appeared like ‘Sunday
morning,M.hamel instead of narmal attire had put on fine Sunday clothes, The back benches
occupied by the villagers as a mark of respect to M. Hamel’s 40 years of service, moreover their
inclination to their culture, language & country.

3. Symbolism The bulletin board symbolizes the oppression of the Prussian who have invaded the
region of Alsace & Lorraine. The ticking clock symbolizes the impending deadline for Franz to learn
German, highlighting the pressure and urgency imposed by the colonial authorities.The Church clock
symbolizes stability and routine. The blackboard on which M.Hamel writes “Vive la France
represents the power of patriotism and resistance.

4.First Person Narrative: Story is narrated by little boy named Franz. The boy is resident of Alsace
district of France that has lately been occupied by the Prussians.

5.Character Development: M.Hamel emerges from a dedicated teacher to ignorant custodian, where
he prioritizes his avocation & exhibits his reckless attitude by sending students to water his flower &
announces holiday when he wants to go fishing .Franz on realizing no more French teaching exhibits
altruistic love for French & m. Hamel.

6. Internal Conflict:Franz is disheartened with the imposition of German language. He feels that
mother tongue comes to a person naturally, just like pigeons make the ‘coo’ sound irrespective of the
country, this traumatized him & he is in an internal conflict whether they will teach the pigeons to
‘coo’ in German.

7.Dialogue: Conversation between M. Hamel with students reveal the emotional strain undergoing
by M. Hamel where he regards French as the world’s most beautiful, clearest & most rational
language& is distressed with Prussian invasion.

8. Personification: Alsace is personified to highlight procrastination, adapted by people of Alsace.

9.Setting: The Last Lesson is set in the days of the Franco- Prussian War(1870-1871) in which France
was defeated by Prussia led by Bismarck. Prussia then consisted of what now are the nations of
Germany. Poland and parts of Austria. French districts if Alsace & Lorraine have passed into Prussian
hands. People of Alsace and Lorraine are victim of Linguistic Chauvinism.

10. Irony: The French people, who were once proud of their language and culture, were now
regretting not learning French. The irony shows the colonial mindset of the French people who
believed in their superiority over others.