Narrative Logic

In the broadest sense, narrative logic is any logical process of narrative analysis. Narrative logic is a tool through which the audience may create events and explanations or otherwise elucidate details not included in the narrative. It is used to build a logical argument based upon the content of a narrative, using its events and rhetoric as evidence to support the argument. This is done to ensure that one's argument does not contradict or alter the narrative itself. Problems and disagreements may arise from this fixity of the narrative because it should also preclude alteration of the artistic statement being conveyed, something that is open to subjective interpretation and may be paradoxical or illogical in itself. Thus, this process is generally imperfect since, as with all narrative analysis and most forms of logic, different applications and interpretations can lead to differing conclusions.

Narrative logic is most often employed to create continuity where there is a plot hole or some intentional gap in a narrative, or to explain other unresolved issues within a narrative (i.e. questions such as "Did this character die or simply disappear?" or "Why did two instances under the same circumstances lead to different results?"). It may also be used for other purposes, such as answering theoretical questions derived from the narrative (i.e. "What would happen if...?" or "Who would win in a battle between...?"). In a broader sense it's used in devices such as character development, since a character is defined by the interpretations of its actions and the rhetoric used to describe it.