Abstract:
The distinction between story and discourse has become all but canonical in
narratology. This article investigates the viability of this approach with reference to
the narratological analysis of biblical narratives. It is shown that the distinction is
indeed necessary, although the traditional approach should be modified. Discourse,
rather than story, should be the starting point of any narratological analysis. This
leads to the concept of an “implied story, which can be used as an analytical tool in
the analysis of narrative. Special attention is given to the application of this new
approach to biblical narrative, with an example drawn from a comparison of
Isa 36:1-22 and 2 Kgs 18:13-37.
