A narrative is a written account of events and actions that lead to a specific conclusion. While most narratives follow a linear structure, there are some that deviate from the traditional storytelling format. These are known as non-linear narratives.
Unlike linear narratives that present events in chronological order, non-linear narratives follow a non-chronological pattern. This means that the events are not always presented in the order they occurred. This type of storytelling can include flashbacks to past events, parallel plotlines, or a framed narrative.
Flashbacks are a common device in non-linear narratives where the reader is taken back to a previous event in the story. This technique provides context and background information for the main plotline, adding depth and complexity to the story.
In a framed narrative, a story is told within a story, also known as an embedded narrative. This adds layers to the main plotline. On the other hand, a parallel plot involves two storylines that occur simultaneously or at different points in time, creating a dynamic and unique narrative.
An example of parallel plot can be found in Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper. In this novel, two young boys from different social classes switch places and experience life in each other's shoes.
Non-linear narrative is a popular device in experimental, mystery, and suspense fiction, as well as in films. It allows the author to surprise the reader with new information and can enrich the storytelling when done well.
Frankenstein follows a series of letters and journal entries from different characters, including flashbacks to the creation of the monster and the events leading up to the conclusion. In Wuthering Heights, the housekeeper tells her story in a non-linear fashion, jumping between different time periods. Dracula also utilizes different perspectives from various characters, presented through journals, diaries, and letters. The multiple narratives are not presented in chronological order, adding to the non-linear structure of the novel. Similarly, House of Leaves weaves together a complex narrative through different narrators, footnotes, and addendums, creating an unconventional and non-linear storytelling experience.
Non-linear narrative is a powerful storytelling tool that adds depth and intrigue to a story. With the element of surprise and engagement, it comes as no surprise that it is a popular device in literature and film.
One of the benefits of non-linear narrative is the freedom it gives authors to explore different storytelling techniques, resulting in a more engaging and diverse experience for the audience.
Citizen Kane (1941), Memento (2000), and The Amazing Spiderman (2014) are all well-known examples of non-linear storytelling. Each film expertly incorporates flashbacks to manipulate the story's structure.
In Citizen Kane, the story unfolds through flashbacks from multiple characters' perspectives. It begins with Kane on his deathbed, uttering the enigmatic word "Rosebud." A journalist is then tasked with uncovering the word's meaning, leading to a series of flashbacks that reveal Kane's life. One of these memories shows a young Kane playing with his sled outside his childhood home. The film concludes with the journalist at a dead end, and Kane's belongings, including a sled marked with "Rosebud," being incinerated.
Memento tells its story in reverse order, as a man with short-term memory loss tries to uncover his wife's murderer. The film switches between black and white scenes in chronological order and color scenes in a non-chronological sequence, creating an intricate puzzle for the audience to solve.
The Amazing Spiderman also utilizes flashbacks, taking us to Peter Parker's childhood where his father destroys his research before dying in a plane crash. The story then jumps to the present, with Peter now Spiderman, protecting the city. As the plot unfolds, he learns the truth about his father's actions, and an old friend becomes his new enemy.
Non-linear storytelling can also be referred to as unchronological, unconventional, atypical, or non-traditional. These terms all describe a narrative that does not follow a linear progression of events.
