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Chapter 19—Narrative Paradigm

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Title:
Braveheart
Claim:
Narrative fidelity is the congruence between values embedded in a message and what listeners regard as truthful and humane; the story strikes a responsive chord.
Application:
How will William Wallace persuade his countrymen to go into a battle with the English that may cost them their lives? Although Aristotle might indicate the logos of his appeal, Fisher would say there's more going on than that. In the end, it seems, it comes down to a story, a story about the lives of these men if they ran from battle. Would that story have narrative fidelity, or would another story where they stay and fight for their freedom? The reaction of the men suggests a clear answer.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TME0xubdHQc
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
"Priyanka Chopra - Full Power of Women Speech", Variety
Claim:
Narrative rationality is a way to evaluate the worth of stories based on the twin standards of narrative coherence and narrative fidelity.
Application:
At the core of her argument against sexism, actor Priyanka Chopra's speech relies on narrative rationality. By telling stories from her own life, she weaves an argument about the grave challenges that girls and women often face. It's a story that strikes a chord because it resonates with listeners experiences and values.
Link:
https://youtu.be/iCwKM6uB71I?t=101
Cue Point:
1:41-5:54
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
"Camille Vasquez Points to Inconsistencies in Amber Heard's Case", Law&Crime Network
Claim:
Narrative coherence is internal consistency, with characters acting in a reliable fashion; the story hangs together.
Application:
In 2022, many people paid close attention to the high-profile courtroom case between formerly married actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. In this clip, the closing argument of Depp's lawyer Camille Vasquez focuses on inconsistencies in Heard's narrative. Using the language of the narrative paradigm, Vasquez is criticizing Heard's story for a lack of narrative coherence.
Link:
https://youtu.be/_SmvJvrVToA?t=600
Cue Point:
Staring at 10:00 (although the entire video could serve an extended example)
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
"The Last Jedi Plot Hole That Fans Say Broke Star Wars Forever", Looper
Claim:
Narrative coherence is internal consistency, with characters acting in a reliable fashion; the story hangs together.
Application:
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi received acclaim from some fans and condemnation from others. This video focuses on one particular point of controversy: the "Holdo Maneuver," where a character destroys an enemy ship by ramming into it with hyperspeed. Although to some this debate is nerdy nitpickiness, others insist that it's consistent with the rest of the Star Wars tale; or, in terms of the narrative paradigm, it made the franchise's narrative much less coherent.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8_HsvcLO7E
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
"The Problem With Toy Story 4", captainmidnight
Claim:
Narrative coherence is internal consistency, and narrative fidelity is congruence between the message's values and those of the audience.
Application:
Although Toy Story 4 received critical acclaim, this YouTuber wasn't satisfied. As you listen to his reasons, which have to do with narrative coherence, and which with narrative fidelity? How do the two concepts overlap and how are they distinct?
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-ThWJkUnOA
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
"The Story of Us", Taylor Swift, Speak Now
Claim:
Narrative rationality is a way to evaluate the worth of stories based on the twin standards of narrative coherence and narrative fidelity.
Application:
Taylor Swift's music often uses the metaphor of story to describe love--but according to Fisher, perhaps story is more than a metaphor. In this song, Swift seems to use narrative rationality to evaluate her romantic relationship. Because the story of their love (and specifically, the story of her boyfriend's behavior) lacks both narrative fidelity and coherence, she is dissatisfied. If you want to take this idea farther with Swift's music, you might examine her early hit "Love Story" on the Fearless album, where she likens a romance beset by family drama to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Link:
https://open.spotify.com/track/3RBluWmSoG2pGA1OePzGJI?si=af6781c04c8d40b8
Discovered  By:
Andrew

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