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In which fictional narrative is the protagonist a perpetually confused idealist with romantic yearnings?

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narrative

American  

[nar-uh-tiv] / ˈnær ə tɪv /

noun

• narratives
  plural

1. a story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious.

   Synonyms:

   tale, chronicle

2. a book, literary work, etc., containing such a story.

3. the art, technique, or process of narrating, or of telling a story.

   Somerset Maugham was a master of narrative.

4. a story that connects and explains a carefully selected set of supposedly true events, experiences, or the like, intended to support a particular viewpoint or thesis.

   to rewrite the prevailing narrative about masculinity; the narrative that our public schools are failing.

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adjective

1. consisting of or being a narrative.

   a narrative poem.

2. of or relating to narration, or the telling of a story.

   My English teacher's narrative skill makes characters seem to come to life.

3. Fine Arts. representing stories or events pictorially or sculpturally.

   narrative painting.

narrative British  

/ ˈnærətɪv /

noun

1. an account, report, or story, as of events, experiences, etc

2. the part of a literary work that relates events

3. the process or technique of narrating

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adjective

1. telling a story

   a narrative poem

2. of or relating to narration

   narrative art

Synonym Usage

Narrative, account, recital, history are terms for a story of an event or events. Narrative is the general term (for a story long or short; of past, present, or future; factual or imagined; told for any purpose; and with or without much detail). The other three terms apply primarily to factual stories of time already past. An account is usually told informally, often for entertainment, with emphasis on details of action, whether about an incident or a series of happenings. A recital is an extended narrative usually with an informative purpose, emphasizing accuracy and exhaustive details of facts and figures. A history, usually written and at some length, is characterized by a tracing of causes and effects, and by an attempt to estimate, evaluate, and interpret facts.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonnarrative
  adjective
• seminarrative
  adjective
• narratively
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• narratives
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of narrative

First recorded in 1445–55; from Middle French narratif (adjective and noun), from Late Latin narrātīvus “narration” (noun), “suitable for narration” (adjective), from narrāt(us) “related, told” (past participle of narrāre “to relate, tell, say”) + -īvus, adjective suffix; equivalent to narrate ( def. ) + -ive ( def. )

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Explanation

A narrative is a story that you write or tell to someone, usually in great detail. A narrative can be a work of poetry or prose, or even song, theater, or dance. Often a narrative is meant to include the "whole story." A summary will give a few key details and then the narrative will delve into the details. "I hate to interrupt your narrative," is a polite way of stopping someone in the middle of a story. The origin of this noun is the Latin adjective narrativus, from narrare "to tell," from gnarus "knowing." It is related to our English verb know.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

narrative narratives

Though “Blue Lights” has not been officially canceled, the final episode feels, well, final in terms of narrative and messaging: No matter how painful, facing the truth is the only way true progress can begin.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2026

Skeptics of the “aging as opportunity” narrative usually point to fixed incomes and rising healthcare costs as reasons to discount this population’s spending power.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 10, 2026

China’s foreign ministry spokesman said Monday that “the narrative about so-called Chinese spies is entirely based on groundless speculation—it’s nothing more than slander and smearing.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026

Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Monday that "the narrative of a so-called Chinese spy is entirely baseless vilification and smearing."

From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2026

Ugwu thought he made out something familiar on an unrolled portion of paper, the word narrative, but it could not be.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Dori sees sentiment as increasingly driven by trust in independently audited infrastructure, rather than short-term narratives and price action.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

"And they're looking for why. Who's to blame for this? And corruption is one of those narratives that works," he said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026

The Canadian developer specialising in role-playing games was founded in 1995 and found millions of fans with its complex, branching narratives.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026

They aren’t phased by narratives designed to devalue their accolades and their acumen.

From Salon ● Oct. 21, 2026

Even Mercy was surprised, and frequently a little disturbed at the drama that Kit seemed to discover in these long- familiar narratives.

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare

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Related Words

• account
• anecdote
• book
• chronicle
• chronology
• description
• detail
• fiction
• history
• narration
• plot
• version

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