It is always very interesting how literature is adapted into the medium film. Often the results are very surprising for the viewers as the personal images one develops when reading a book do not match with the ones used in the movie. For instance the appearance of the characters, the look of the setting, the performing of the actors etc.. Questions are raised like: “Did the hero in the novel not have blond hair?” or “I thought the princess was described as the prettiest girl on earth – well, she definitely wasn’t in the film!”. People just have different tastes and anything but the same ideas. That is what makes life so various and why there can exist many different films on the very same topic. Every film adaptation of literature is a personal interpretation of the filmmakers. They have to think about ways how to translate the novel into film language, as every medium has its own characteristics.
This research paper summons up the peculiarities of film and fiction, especially under the aspect of time, and what changes the transformation requires. I want to point out the relation of story-time and discourse-time and with which problems the filmmakers have to deal in order to produce a film adaptation very close to the novel it is based on.. My source for the analysis will be the book “Beloved” written by Toni Morrison in 1987 and the film “Beloved” directed by Jonathan Demme in the year 1998, as in these story and discourse play an important role and are very complex.
First of all, I want to give a short definition of the terminology of discourse and story to get a good basis for the analyses of book and movie, which will be provided in the appendix. After that I will point out some important facts on “Beloved” including a short summary of the plot and the main characters. Then I will show the differences and similarities in the plot of both mediums. That is, to have an overview of the structure of film and novel, and to collect information about the translation of story-time and discourse-time. These results will support my closer approach on the first chapter of the book and the very same sequences in the film in comparing them under the aspect of time.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The terms “story” and “discourse”
- Story-time and discourse-time
- Flashbacks and flash forwards
- Summary of the plot
- Comparison of book and film
- Time structure of the first chapter
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper examines the adaptation of Toni Morrison's novel "Beloved" into Jonathan Demme's 1998 film. The main objective is to analyze the differences and similarities in the temporal structure of the novel and the film, focusing on the relationship between story-time and discourse-time, and the use of flashbacks and flash forwards. The analysis will explore how these narrative techniques translate between the two mediums and the challenges involved in adapting a literary work for the screen.
- The relationship between story-time and discourse-time in narrative texts.
- The use of flashbacks and flash forwards in shaping narrative structure.
- The challenges of adapting literary works for film, specifically concerning temporal structure.
- A comparative analysis of the novel and film versions of "Beloved."
- The impact of narrative techniques on the viewer/reader's experience.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by discussing the inherent differences between literary and cinematic adaptations and how personal interpretations influence the process. The author highlights the complexities involved in translating a novel's narrative structure into film language, using "Beloved" as a case study due to its intricate use of story-time and discourse-time. The paper outlines its methodology, focusing on defining key terminology, summarizing the plot, comparing the book and film, and analyzing the temporal structure of the first chapter.
The terms “story” and “discourse”: This chapter delves into the fundamental concepts of "story" (the content of a narrative) and "discourse" (the manner in which the story is presented). It establishes the importance of understanding the relationship between story-time (the duration of events in the narrative) and discourse-time (the time it takes to experience the narrative). The chapter introduces the concepts of summary, ellipsis, stretch, and pause, explaining how these techniques affect narrative rhythm. Furthermore, it defines and explores the use of flashbacks and flash forwards (anachrony) as crucial tools for manipulating time in both literary and cinematic narratives. The chapter lays the theoretical groundwork for the subsequent comparative analysis of the "Beloved" novel and film.
Summary of the plot: (This section would contain a plot summary of the book "Beloved," excluding any major spoilers. Due to the limitations of the provided text, a detailed summary cannot be provided here.)
Comparison of book and film: (This section would contain a comparison of the plot and narrative structure of the novel and the film adaptation of "Beloved." Due to the limitations of the provided text, a detailed comparison cannot be provided here.)
Time structure of the first chapter: (This section would detail the analysis of the time structure in the first chapter of the novel and its cinematic counterpart. Due to the limitations of the provided text, a detailed analysis cannot be provided here.)
Keywords
Story-time, discourse-time, narrative structure, film adaptation, literary adaptation, flashbacks, flash forwards, anachrony, Toni Morrison, Beloved, narrative techniques, temporal structure, novel, film, comparative analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Narrative Structure in Toni Morrison's "Beloved" and its Film Adaptation
What is the purpose of this research paper?
This research paper analyzes the adaptation of Toni Morrison's novel "Beloved" into Jonathan Demme's 1998 film. The main objective is to compare and contrast the temporal structures of the novel and the film, focusing on the relationship between story-time and discourse-time, and the use of flashbacks and flash forwards. It explores how these narrative techniques translate between the two mediums and the challenges involved in adapting a literary work for the screen.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the relationship between story-time and discourse-time in narrative texts; the use of flashbacks and flash forwards in shaping narrative structure; the challenges of adapting literary works for film, particularly concerning temporal structure; a comparative analysis of the novel and film versions of "Beloved"; and the impact of narrative techniques on the viewer/reader's experience.
What is the difference between "story-time" and "discourse-time"?
Story-time refers to the chronological duration of events within the narrative itself. Discourse-time, on the other hand, refers to the time it takes to experience the narrative, as presented by the author/filmmaker. The relationship between these two times is manipulated through techniques like summary, ellipsis, stretch, and pause, affecting the narrative's rhythm and pacing.
What role do flashbacks and flash forwards play in the narrative?
Flashbacks and flash forwards (also known as anachrony) are crucial tools for manipulating time in both literary and cinematic narratives. They disrupt chronological order to create specific effects, influencing the reader's/viewer's understanding and emotional response to the story.
What is covered in each chapter of the analysis?
The paper includes an introduction outlining the methodology and complexities of literary to cinematic adaptation; a chapter defining "story" and "discourse" and exploring their relationship; a chapter summarizing the plot of "Beloved"; a chapter comparing the novel and film versions; and a chapter analyzing the time structure specifically within the first chapter of both the novel and film. A conclusion summarizes the findings.
What are the key challenges in adapting "Beloved" to film?
Adapting "Beloved" presents challenges due to the novel's intricate use of story-time and discourse-time. Translating the novel's complex temporal structure into a visual medium requires careful consideration of how to maintain the narrative's impact and emotional resonance.
What keywords are used to describe this research?
Key terms include: Story-time, discourse-time, narrative structure, film adaptation, literary adaptation, flashbacks, flash forwards, anachrony, Toni Morrison, Beloved, narrative techniques, temporal structure, novel, film, comparative analysis.
- Quote paper
- Magistra Artium Claudia Stehr (Author), 2002, Story-time and discourse-time in the novel and film "Beloved", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/73833
