Unnatural Narrative Theory

The article explains and outlines the basic aspects of unnatural narrative, identifying central strategies and effects of the unnatural. It differentiates unnatural or antimimetic elements from mimetic and nonmimetic ones and notes the differing effects that unnatural elements can have on a given narrative. It notes some limitations of existing narratological theory and offers methods for transcending those limitations. After tracing out the history and development of key concepts and terms and explaining the basic model of unnatural narrative theory, this target essay goes on to provide an overview of the history, genres, and ideological associations of unnatural narratives themselves, clarify some common misunderstandings, and point out some differing conceptions among unnatural narratologists. It then discusses the major contributions of unnatural narrative studies, notes current advances in the field, and speculates on future developments.