Canonical Narratives and Cultural Orders: Moving Analysis to a More Molar Level

Abstract

In this chapter, we explore the way in which narratives can be examined in terms of the relationships between more ‘molar’ parts of the material, with a view particularly to identifying the effects of cultural discourses. For example, we suggest that in the course of the interview we have analysed, Lance carries the Part 2 theme of gendered ‘cleverness’ forward into Part 3 through school as a significant institutional context where linguistic and social practices, organised around developmental discourses constitutive of gendered childhood and reproductions of patriarchy, are thematically linked with contesting hegemonic and subordinated constructions of masculine identities. This broader approach is facilitated by use of macro-linguistic transcription tools (Stanzas, Strophes and Parts) signifying discursive coherence, which provide a ‘trail’ or account of interpretive headlines.