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Time

Time refers to the period in which a story takes place.

Definition

"Narrative time," or simply time, refers to the cultural, historical and chronological factors surrounding the events of a narrative. The temporal setting, essentially, sets the stage and context for the plot events and the ideology of both the characters and the author.

Examples

Ian McEwan's novella On Chesil Beach, encompassing some 200 pages, recounts the hardly-two-hour, nuptial experience of a pair newlyweds.

Critical Debates

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Related Terms

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References

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