Analysis of a narrative-report in the light of the Theory of Argumentation in Language

Abstract

This article analyzes the construction of meanings of a narrative in the light of the theory of argumentation in language, proposed by Oswald Ducrot and Jean Anscombre. The object of analysis, the narrative "História de um olhar" [Story of a look] is one among 21 stories from "A vida que ninguém vê" [The life that nobody sees], a book by Eliane Brum, who a Brazilian journalist that has excelled in literary journalism. The analysis, which was conducted with the support of the theory of argumentation in language and, in parallel, with a view at textual syntax, revealed that the structure of the utterances, fragmented at the beginning of the narrative, is modified as the identity of the starring character is being resignified. A narrative whose syntax contributes to the definition of the meanings of the narrative then arises.