Mastering Literary Genres: Lyric and Narrative Forms

Literary Genres and Their Structural Models

Literary genres are the structural models used to create, sort, and group different literary texts. They also serve as a frame of reference for both writers and the public; it is, therefore, an important concept for the author when she conceives a text, for the reader when he interprets it, and for criticism when it classifies the work. From the latter perspective, three genres have traditionally been discussed: narrative, lyric, and dramatic.

Characteristics of the Lyric Genre

The lyric genre is defined by concentration, brevity, and a low presence of narrative elements such as space and time. It emphasizes rhythm and musicality, which is achieved through the repetition of sounds, the distribution of syllables, pauses, accents, and aural or syntactic patterns.

Main Poetic Forms

• Elegy: A composition in which the author expresses grief over the death of a loved one or an unpleasant circumstance. It usually contains critical laments or death curses and praise for the deceased.
• Eclogue: The poet expresses his feelings of love through the mouths of shepherds in an idealized natural landscape. This form became fashionable during the Renaissance; the best known are the eclogues of Garcilaso.
• Ode: A poem of varying length and high pitch that extols feelings, people, or facts.
• Hymn: A poem created to honor an outstanding person, celebrate a memorable event, or express joy and excitement. It can also be used to reflect the sentiments and ideals of a community.

The Narrative Genre and Points of View

In the narrative genre, the narrator is the voice that tells the story and communicates the facts to the reader. There are several points of view:

• Omniscient: The narrator knows everything, even the most intimate thoughts of the characters.
• Narrator Witness: Objectively describes what he sees without offering an opinion.
• Narrator Character: A character within the story acts as the narrator.

Main Narrative Subgenres

• Epic Poem: Tells the exploits of a hero in verse.
• Story: A short narrative, usually of an exemplary character, with didactic purposes.
• Fable: A story starring animals.
• Legend: A story from written or oral tradition based on legendary facts.
• Travel Book: Works that describe a specific space.
• Biography: A story between expository and narrative that accounts for the full life of a real person.
• Novel: The main subgenre; this is a work that presents a complex plot in which several main characters experience various events. Common types include thrillers, science fiction, horror, historical, adventure, character-driven, and romance (pink) novels.