In narratology, the term “structural unit” typically refers to a segment of a narrative that contributes to the overall structure, or organization, of a story. This can include such entities as scenes, chapters, acts, or even sentences. A structural unit can help the reader interpret the order of events, the type of discourse being used, and the purpose of the narrative. It can also help the author to develop a cohesive theme, as well as to provide a sense of order and unity to the narrative. Structural units can also carry certain connotations and cultural references which provide additional depth and resonance to the text.
Published in Chapter:
The Effects of New Characters on the Narrative Structure in Film Sequels: The Case of the Blade Runner Movies
Alper Gedik (Izmir University of Economics, Turkey) and Ümit Aydoğan (Izmir Katip Celebi University, Turkey)
Copyright: © 2023
|Pages: 17
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-7864-6.ch018
Abstract
In the movie industry, the complex cinematic universes constructed for sequels are crucial elements that strengthen the narrative continuity and bond between the audience and the story. In successful cases, this will result in a strong attachment and easy identification by the viewer, since they would emotionally relate to what and how things are represented in the film. On another aspect, sequels frequently answer ontological questions that arose in the first film. This clarification accounts to a satisfying completion in terms of overall story and feel. In order to achieve this, sequels often introduce new characters, side stories and flashbacks. This slight contribution adds to the expansion of overall cinematic experience, enriching and deepening the film texture. For this study, the 1982 film Blade Runner and its sequel Blade Runner 2049 (2017) are analyzed on how the inclusion of new characters and spaces in the cinematic universe effects the narrative structure of the films.