Narrative and Descriptive Techniques in Literature

This assignment delves into the distinct techniques of narration and description employed in literary works. It utilizes George Eliot's novel *Middlemarch* as a case study to illustrate how narration effectively conveys the plot and events, while description paints vivid scenes and evokes sensory experiences for the reader. The analysis highlights the interplay between these two techniques and their contribution to the overall impact of a narrative.

CRITICAL SUMMARY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1) Critical summary.....................................................................................................................1
Example of descriptive mode......................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
The present report has discussed about the summary and extract taken from Georg
Lukacs, 'Narrate or describe?' In this summary, critical abstract has been presented which helps
in understanding the comparison of narrate and describe. In this sense, a deep overview of
subject has been done which demonstrate that Georg has given more importance to narration.
Aprt from this, the following extract will be connected with the Great expectations created by
Charles Dickens as well as Middlemarch written by George Eliot.
TASK 1
1) Critical summary
As per Lukacs, there is a great difference between narration and description of a novel or
any other writings. He has written two famous novels of Zola's Nana and Tolstoy's Anna
Karenina. In both the novels, he has presentted his great art of writing skills which makes the
reader bounded with story (Madison, 2011). Further, in both of his novels he has made a
discussion about Horse races which makes an attempt to describe the brilliancy. Thus, he has
make an effort to describe the importance of narration more than description.
Lewis and Ferretti, (2011) has stated that description of a story gives an overview of the
subject, its characters as well as its all significant aspects. Thus, the reader reads the description
and makes a point from this. Similarly, narration depicts a way with a special art in which the
entire story is told in a particular way that makes a complete sense with more of a feeling in the
narrator as well as the reader. The narration is related with special effects in which story teller
makes a description of all the characters, insight of the tale etc. From the narrations, the writer
makes explanation in such a way that reader becomes intact with the entire story and can have
the feeling of whole story as if he/ she is present there (Toolan, 2012). In Zola's Nana written by
Lukacs, he has described the details of race in precise and colourful way. Apart from this, the
major difference between both narration and description is, the former one uses first form or 'I'
perspective while telling the story which makes a better connection of reader with story. Further,
Rosebury, (2016) has stated that narration also puts an essence of realism in the tales as it depicts
that writer has felt and experiences the explained things on its own. While on other hand, the
description does not make any such attempt and goes on with a simple explanation of story.
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As mentioned in the novel of Zola's Nana, he has described the scenes and with a mood
and appearances that makes the reader immersed in the story. While the narration describes the
viewpoint of story teller. As in the present novels, the writer has described the scenes with a
dramatical view.
The two novels of Zola's nana and Tolstoy's Anna have different writing styles in it. In
Zola's nana, writer has described the horse race in a beautiful manner by showing the skills of
Zola. The entire scene of race is elucidated in a manner that presents the entire scenario in a
precise and colourful way. Here, Zola has written detailed study on modern ground about the
second empire fashion show. On other hand, in Anna karenina, the race of horse is presented in
a dramatical way. Here, the turn which came in the protagonists is described in a critical way.
Thus, the Zola's race is explained as per the views of observer while in Anna, it has been
described as per the participant's own views.
Example of descriptive mode
The descriptive mode of novels can be depicted in the Great expectations written by
Charles Dickens and in George Eliot's Middlemarch. In both of these novels, the writers have
used the method of descriptive mode in telling the story. In Middlemarch, the writer has used the
way which has been criticised by many of the writers and critics, as in this writing there are
various forms which depicts the obscure literary terms (Hagström, 2012). This novel has not
described as a typical novel because in simple terms, novels are those writings, in which there is
a relationship between all the characters which are canvassed in a beautiful way. There is no
such finding in the said novel. It just merely described the characters in a disdain manner. Apart
from this, in the novel, one great thing has been described by Eliot. She has described the entire
scene of marriage which also depicts the end of novel. In this description, she has portrayed
about the realities of marriages which make readers to have an insight of truth and realities of
practical world. Thus, this novel described the story and its characters in a beautiful way though
it has been criticised by many of critics as well due to use of obscure terms (Morss, 2013).
On other hand, the Great expectations, which is written by Charles Dickens is another
example of great description of story. Here, the entire plot surrounds various characters
according to which, a description of romance and love has been portrayed. It has many
characters and each one has been displayed with a great role. It described the entire story with a
mixture of crime, revenge, reward and guilts as well which is potential to make reader fall in the
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story with a feel. According to Bhabha (2013) the description of entire story shows various
dimensions so that readers can have a feeling of story. It gives the details of entire story in a
sensory detail so that reader can have a full understanding of the story.
However, in present case, Lukacs have favoured more to the narration style as it gives the
overview of entire story as per writer's view. This makes understanding of the story much easier
and better. Apart from, this, it is not necessary that only writer's views are depicted in the story,
this can also be made with the help of any one character in the story. In other words, any of the
character in the story can also be used as a story teller so that reader can have a better
connectivity with it (Lewis and Ferretti, 2011).
In addition to this, it can be stated that Lukas descriptive mode indicates that Zola’s is
focused towards horse race description. It has been noticed that by having a descriptive
understanding of key tools the issues can be identified effectively. The Parisian public is
presented in all the brilliance of a Second Empire fashion show. Author has presented his views
from the point of view of participant. It was mainly focused towards events in order to overcome
the issues. By having an improved focus on statement, it can be stated that race is described from
the standpoint of an observer. On the other side, in context to the Middlemarch, it can be stated
that story is presented from the point of view of Dorothea Brooke. By having an improved focus
on study the writer has tried to present relation between Brooke and her family members. It is
considered as idealistic story. Along with this, various other characteristics are being presented
which allows to meet objectives. Story provides descriptive information in regard to the relation
with diverse members like friends and family. It offers an information which helps in
understanding human behaviour aspects.
Lukacs has revealed in extract about the writing skills in a better manner which also
explains the description style in a beautiful and acceptable manner. It also gives the essence of a
realism and precise description of scenes which can easily connect the reader with story. While
in Middlemarch, Eliot has shown an example of aggressive writing. Her writings are usually
criticised for obscureness for using her thoughts in a very bold way which are generally
unacceptable by the readers. This is the major difference between both of the writing style of the
novels. Apart from this, there is a good description of marriage scene in Eliot's novel which
makes reader familiar with practical situation.
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CONCLUSION
From the above summary it can be concluded that there are certain difference between
the narrations and description. It can be inferred that narration plays an important role which
helps to carry out an effective explanation during an appropriate experience. It can be stated that
narration is helpful for summarising a story as it gives a purpose in order to tell the events to the
reader. Further, in description there is use of sensory details in which it describes an appropriate
scene to the reader. Thus, it can be summarized that narration is effectively work in the critical
summary.
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REFERENCES
Journals and Books
Bhabha, H.K. ed., 2013. Nation and narration. Routledge.
Hagström, L., 2012. ‘Power shift’in East Asia? A critical reappraisal of narratives on the
Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands incident in 2010. The Chinese Journal of International Politics.
5(3), pp.267-297.
Lewis, W.E. and Ferretti, R.P., 2011. Topoi and literary interpretation: The effects of a critical
reading and writing intervention on high school students’ analytic literary essays.
Contemporary Educational Psychology/. 36(4), pp.334-354.
Madison, D.S., 2011. Critical ethnography: Method, ethics, and performance. Sage.
Morss, J.R., 2013. Growing critical: Alternatives to developmental psychology. Routledge.
Rosebury, B., 2016. Tolkien: A Critical Assessment. Springer.
Toolan, M., 2012. Narrative: A critical linguistic introduction. Routledge.