Actantial Paradigm of Narrative Structures in Techno-thriller and Visionary Fiction

Abstract

This study examines the structural patterns of two radically distinct genres, namely techno-thriller and visionary fiction, by focusing on the actantial elements of fictional works. It seeks to clarify misconceptions about traditional literary analysis by comparing the novels Rumi's Daughter by Maufroy (2004) and Deception Point by Brown (2001). The actant theory, first introduced by Greimas (1971) and later amended by Hébert (2020), is employed to analyze the roles of characters, exploring both their similarities and differences within the internal narrative structure of the selected novels. The study investigates narratives’ universal “grammar” by focusing on three pairings of binary oppositions, that is, subject/object, sender/receiver, and helper/opponent. Despite the differences in theme, culture, characters, and genre, the study shows that the characters’ narrative structure and actantial function are the same, proving Greimas’ claim that the actantial theory applies to all narratives. This study contributes to the basic understanding of the fundamental patterns that connect human narratives, despite the apparent differences between the civilizations they belong to.