Heleen Arshad Faris

Abstract

Narrative analysis is a potent tool for a qualitative research which is capable of uncovering the emotions, intentions, and behavior of the individuals. It concerns itself with stories reflecting people’s lives either to be past, present, or future. It attempts to understand how individuals interpret their experiences in narrative forms where they embed their personal, cultural, and societal ideologies. Hence, it aspires to comprehend human experiences deploying various approaches. The current study examines some selected fairytales by Hans Christian Andersen, applying Labov’s (1972) narrative structure model using a qualitative research methodology. It seeks to disclose the six elements of a story listed by Labov (1972) and how they contribute to the overall plot. The paper aims to provide answers to the following queries: What is Labov’s (1972) framework? How Andersen employs Labov’s (1972) paradigm in his storytelling process? The study has come to the conclusions that Labov’s model is structural in the sense it views narratives as a block with formal properties. He has developed his framework on the basis of spoken narratives, which likewise, can be applied to other forms of discourse. He has recognized that a fully formed natural narrative is supported by six fundamental recurring elements, each of these would answer a single Wh question and has a distinctive role in the narration. In addition, Andersen seems to use these units in his stories, albeit not with the same order listed by Labov, for evaluation and orientation elements are used throughout the story from the beginning till the end.