Theoretical Impasse of Rhetoric Narratology

Abstract

Originating from the Chicago School in American academia during the latter half of last century, rhetorical narratology has become one of the most influential sub-trends of narratology in its post-classic phase. Rhetoric narratology essentially views storytelling as a communicative process whereby the author achieves specific effects on the audience. In its theoretical system, "the Implied Author", a concept first put forward by Wayne Booth, takes up a pivotal position, while the narrative communication model elaborated by James Phelan serves as the overall frame integrating its core ideas. However, the ambiguity integral to Booth's definition of "the Implied Author" foreshadows the problems, notably causal inversion and circular reasoning, in rhetorical narratology's theorization about narrative, and Phelan's elaboration of the narrative communication model,instead of overcoming such problems, only throws them into sharper relief. Because of the autonomy displayed by narrative's production and the openness of its reception, it is unjustified to treat storytelling and communication as qualitatively similar processes. To do this would overstretch the explanatory power of the (implied) author's communicative intention by tracing back to it everything concerning a narrative's production and reception, which is prone to lead the critic into a trap of circular reasoning.

Keywords

rhetorical narratology / implied author / narrative communication mode

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