A Study On The Narratology Of Jin Yong's Martial Novels

This thesis analyzes the martial arts novels by Jin Yong from a structuralist narrative approach. The narrative theories adopted include the "narrative functions" theory of Vladimir Propp from Russia, the narrative grammar of Tzuetan Todorov, the narrative logic (Logique du recit) of Claude Bremond, as well as the semantic matrix (carre semiotique) of A.J. Greimas from France.The Second Chapter classifies the narrative lines of Jin's novels into four types and nine categories. The four types are: "the initial state", "the different forms of changes", "from crisis to transformation", and "from transformation to final destination". The nine categories comprise: "the absence of father", "lowly in status and martial arts skills", "departing from the status quo", "meddlesome", "scheming", "romantic relationships", "learning of the arts", "free from predicaments", and finally "seclusion". It is characteristic of Jin's young protagonists to start from scratch, and at last become an unparalleled legend in the martial arts community. Once established, the masters would resort to hermitage.Theoretically based on the narrative grammar of Todorov, Chapter Three presents an analysis of the narratology of Jin's novels. Taken as an example, the narrative of The Heaven Sword and the Dragon Sabre is divided into seven propositions, wherefrom the motif of The Heaven Sword and the Dragon Sabre is postulated. Chapter Four approaches The Semi-gods and the Semi-devils from the "actant" construct and semantic matrix of Gremias, investigates the individual narratives and semantic matrix of the three protagonists, and thus conclude the main themes of the work.The contribution of this thesis is to establish an objective methodology to the analysis of Jin Yong's novels. The storylines are inferred into certain rules, which can lead to the exploration of motifs and other main themes.