A narrative story is a form of storytelling that allows the author to share a personal experience or a fictional tale with the audience. A short story is a brief work of fiction that typically focuses on a single character, event, or setting. It is typically shorter than a novel, making it easier to read in a single sitting.
One example of a short story that uses the narrative form is "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. The story is set in a small town where the annual tradition of the lottery takes place. Each year, a member of the community is selected by random drawing to be stoned to death. The narrator of the story is an objective third-person observer who describes the events as they unfold.
The story begins with the description of a sunny day in June, setting the stage for the festive atmosphere that surrounds the annual lottery. The townspeople gather in the square, chatting and catching up with each other as they wait for the event to begin. The narrator provides a brief background of the tradition, explaining that it has been practiced for centuries and is considered a necessary part of the community's life.
As the lottery proceeds, tension begins to build as it becomes clear that one of the main characters, Tessie Hutchinson, is the unlucky winner. The townspeople turn on her, stoning her to death as the narrator watches in horror. The story ends with a sense of foreboding as the narrator reflects on the brutality and senselessness of the tradition.
"The Lottery" is a powerful example of a short story that uses the narrative form to explore complex themes of tradition, conformity, and violence. The objective third-person narrator allows the reader to experience the events of the story as an outsider, providing a sense of detachment that helps to heighten the horror of the story's ending. The use of descriptive language and imagery also helps to create a sense of atmosphere and tension, drawing the reader into the world of the story and making it more immersive. Overall, "The Lottery" is a powerful example of the narrative form at work in a short story.
