Supernaturalism as a Narrative Technique in “The Tempest” and “The Peony Pavilion”

Abstract

The paper endeavors to investigate the narrative technique of supernaturalism within dramatic narratives, focusing specifically on “The Tempest” and “The Peony Pavilion” as exemplary works. This paper adopts a structural analysis approach, selecting “The Tempest” and “The Peony Pavilion” as case studies due to their shared presentation on supernatural elements. Drawing on Todorov’s classification, the paper characterizes both plays as fantastic/marvelous narratives where supernatural elements play a pivotal role. Through textual analysis and the application of the Greimas matrix, the research endeavors to elucidate how supernaturalism functions as a pivotal aspect of narrative construction, shaping plot development, character arcs, and thematic exploration. Furthermore, the analysis will investigate the broader cultural and literary significance of these supernatural motifs, considering their resonance within the respective socio-historical contexts of the works.Ultimately, the paper aims to elucidate the specific function of supernaturalism in shaping the form and themes of these two contemporary but cross-cultural cases of plays.