Focalisation is a term coined by the French narrative theorist Gérard Genette.[1] It refers to the perspective through which a narrative is presented. Genette focuses on the interplay between three forms of focalization and the distinction between heterodiegetic and homodiegetic narrators. Homodiegetic narrators exist in the same (hence the prefix 'homo') storyworld as the characters exist in, whereas heterodiegetic narrators are not a part of that storyworld. The term 'focalization' refers to how information is restricted in storytelling. Genette distinguishes between internal focalization, external focalization, and zero focalization. Internal focalization means that the narrative focuses on thoughts and emotions while external focalization focuses solely on characters' actions, behavior, the setting etc. Zero focalization is seen when the narrator is omniscient in the sense that it is not restricted.
Focalization in literature is similar to point of view in literature and in filmmaking, but professionals in the field often see these two traditions as being distinctly different. Genette's work was intended to refine the notions of point of view and narrative perspective. It separates the question of "Who sees?" in a narrative from "who speaks?" [2] A narrative where all information presented reflects the subjective perception of a certain character is said to be internally focalised. An omniscient narrator corresponds to zero focalization. External focalisation is the camera eye.
A novel in which no simple rules restrict the transition between different focalizations could be said to be unfocalised, but specific relationships between basic types of focalization constitute more complex focalization strategies; for example, a novel could provide external focalization alternating with internal focalizations through three different characters, where the second character is never focalized except after the first, and three other characters are never focalized at all.
Narratologyedit
The specific domain of literary theory which deals with focalisation is narratology, which concerns not only distinctions between subjective and objective focalisations but various gradations between them, such as free indirect speech or quasi-direct discourse. Narratologists tend to have a difficult time agreeing on the exact definitions of categories in their field; hence its dynamic nature.
^Parsons, Allan (2017-06-27). "Focalisation". compendium.kosawese.net. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
^Gérard Genette, Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method, trans. Jane E. Lewin (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, [1972] 1980), 186; Mieke Bal, Narratology: Introduction to the Theory of Narrative, 3rd ed., trans. Christine van Boheeman (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2009), 146; Niederhoff, Burkhard: "Focalization", Paragraph 8. In: Hühn, Peter et al. (eds.): the living handbook of narratology. Hamburg: Hamburg University [view date:3 February 2020].
February 26, 2024
focalisation, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, 2022, learn, . This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Focalisation news newspapers books scholar JSTOR May 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Focalisation is a term coined by the French narrative theorist Gerard Genette 1 It refers to the perspective through which a narrative is presented Genette focuses on the interplay between three forms of focalization and the distinction between heterodiegetic and homodiegetic narrators Homodiegetic narrators exist in the same hence the prefix homo storyworld as the characters exist in whereas heterodiegetic narrators are not a part of that storyworld The term focalization refers to how information is restricted in storytelling Genette distinguishes between internal focalization external focalization and zero focalization Internal focalization means that the narrative focuses on thoughts and emotions while external focalization focuses solely on characters actions behavior the setting etc Zero focalization is seen when the narrator is omniscient in the sense that it is not restricted Contents 1 Determinant 2 Narratology 3 See also 4 ReferencesDeterminant editFocalization in literature is similar to point of view in literature and in filmmaking but professionals in the field often see these two traditions as being distinctly different Genette s work was intended to refine the notions of point of view and narrative perspective It separates the question of Who sees in a narrative from who speaks 2 A narrative where all information presented reflects the subjective perception of a certain character is said to be internally focalised An omniscient narrator corresponds to zero focalization External focalisation is the camera eye A novel in which no simple rules restrict the transition between different focalizations could be said to be unfocalised but specific relationships between basic types of focalization constitute more complex focalization strategies for example a novel could provide external focalization alternating with internal focalizations through three different characters where the second character is never focalized except after the first and three other characters are never focalized at all Narratology editThe specific domain of literary theory which deals with focalisation is narratology which concerns not only distinctions between subjective and objective focalisations but various gradations between them such as free indirect speech or quasi direct discourse Narratologists tend to have a difficult time agreeing on the exact definitions of categories in their field hence its dynamic nature See also editVolosinov Gerard Genette Jonathan Culler Erich AuerbachReferences edit Parsons Allan 2017 06 27 Focalisation compendium kosawese net Retrieved 2017 12 14 Gerard Genette Narrative Discourse An Essay in Method trans Jane E Lewin Ithaca NY Cornell University Press 1972 1980 186 Mieke Bal Narratology Introduction to the Theory of Narrative 3rd ed trans Christine van Boheeman Toronto University of Toronto Press 2009 146 Niederhoff Burkhard Focalization Paragraph 8 In Huhn Peter et al eds the living handbook of narratology Hamburg Hamburg University view date 3 February 2020 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Focalisation amp oldid 1176714945, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
