6/15/2023 Stylistics

Application of Labov’s model of narrative

to the short story “The Gift of Magi”.

Name
 Summaiya Zahid (2019, B.eng-044)
 Muqaddas Mumtaz (2019, B.Eng-033)
 Mishal Fatima (2019, B.Eng-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 ABSTRACT
This paper mainly helps to analyze the renowned short story "The Gift of Magi" by O. Henry
through a sociolinguistic model of narrative analysis that William Labov developed. The
study aims to enhance our comprehension of the story by providing an insight into the author’s
linguistic and narrative techniques. This study also sheds light on the sociolinguistic dimensions
of storytelling, showcasing how language variation and social context can shape narratives. By
examining the story's abstract, orientation, complicating action, evaluation, resolution, and coda,
we are able to identify the linguistic features present in the text. The analysis sheds light on the
story's structure, thematic richness, and enduring appeal, offering insights into the artistry of
storytelling and contributing to the field of narrative studies. The findings of this research will
help linguists, and literature enthusiasts in understanding the narrative structure and
sociolinguistic nuances within "The Gift of the Magi." It will contribute to a deeper appreciation
and analysis of the story, while also providing insights into Labov's sociolinguistic model and its
broader applicability to narrative analysis.
 1. INTRODUCTION
The study of narrative structures and their impact on literary works has been a subject of interest
among researchers and literary scholars for decades. One influential framework for analyzing
narratives is Labov's Model of Narrative, developed by renowned linguist William Labov. This
model provides a systematic approach to understanding the components of a narrative and their
significance in shaping the overall meaning and impact of a story.
In this research article, we aim to apply Labov's Model of Narrative to analyze the classic short
story "The Gift of Magi" by O. Henry. It was first published in 1905. The story tells of a young
husband and wife and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with
very little money. The story has captivated readers with its poignant portrayal of love, sacrifice,
and the true spirit of gift-giving. By examining the narrative elements within the story, we seek
to unravel the underlying structures and techniques employed by O. Henry to create a compelling
and memorable literary experience.
Labov's Model of Narrative comprises six main components: abstract, orientation, complicating
action, evaluation, resolution, and coda. These elements are interconnected and contribute to the
overall coherence and progression of a narrative.
1.1. Significance of the Research

The significance of this research lies in its potential to deepen our understanding of narrative
structures and their application in literary works. By employing Labov's Model of Narrative as a
lens, we can gain valuable insights into the mechanisms behind storytelling and appreciate the
artistry involved in crafting a compelling narrative. Additionally, this analysis will offer a fresh
perspective on "The Gift of Magi," allowing readers and scholars alike to reevaluate its enduring
appeal and thematic richness.

1.2. Aims and Objectives of the Study

The objectives of this study are:
 To explore the structural and linguistic elements in The Gift of Magi by O. Henry by
applying the sociolinguistic narrative analysis model developed by William Labov.

1.3. Research questions

How far does the application of the sociolinguistic model of narrative analysis
developed by William Labov reveal structural and linguistic features of the story The Gift of
magi by O. henry?
1.4. Delimitations of the study
  The study solely focuses on the application of Labov's model of narrative and it is limited
to the analysis of a single short story. Other narrative frameworks or short stories are not
included in the analysis.
 The study does not extensively delve into broader literary criticism or historical context.
 The analysis is conducted based on the English-language version of "The Gift of Magi."
Translations of the story into other languages are not considered in this study.
 The study does not incorporate empirical data or analysis of reader responses or
interpretations of the story. It focuses solely on the narrative structure and elements
within the text itself.
 The research is conducted with a specific time frame in mind and does not encompass a
longitudinal analysis of the story's reception or interpretations over time.

1.4 Structure of the study

The Study typically consists of five sections. The First chapter is of Introduction that provides an
overview of the research topic, including the rationale for the study. It also outline the objectives
of the research and highlight the significance of applying Labov's model of narrative to analyze
"The Gift of Magi." Then, Second chapter is of Literature Review which review relevant
literature on Labov's model of narrative and its application in literary analysis. It also discuss
previous studies or analyses related to narrative structures in short stories providing a foundation
for the current research. The methodology section would explain the approach and methodology
used in applying Labov's model to the short story. It would describe the process of analyzing the
narrative structure and elements within "The Gift of Magi," highlighting the reasons for selecting
Labov's model as the analytical framework. The analysis section would involve the application
of Labov's model of narrative to "The Gift of Magi." It would break down and examine each
component of the narrative structure, such as abstract, orientation, complicating action,
evaluation, resolution, and coda. This section would discuss how each element contributes to the
overall narrative and enhances the reader's experience. It would also identify key themes,
character development, and emotional impact conveyed by O. Henry. Then the Result and
conclusion section would summarize the key findings and their implications.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK.

3.1. Selection of Research methodology.

This research employs a qualitative approach to analyze the application of Labov's Model of
Narrative on the short story "The Gift of Magi." The qualitative methodology allows for an in-
depth exploration of the narrative components and linguistic features within the story. The
research methodology consists of the following steps:
1. Textual Analysis: The primary data for this study is the short story "The Gift of Magi"
by O. Henry. A close reading and analysis of the text will be conducted to identify the
narrative elements, linguistic features, and thematic aspects.

2. Identification of Narrative Components: Labov's Model of Narrative will serve as the

theoretical framework for this study. Each component of the model, including abstract,
orientation, complicating action, evaluation, resolution, and coda, will be identified and
examined within the context of the short story.

3. Linguistic Analysis: Linguistic analysis involves the systematic study and examination
of language structures, features, and patterns to gain insights into how language works
and how meaning is conveyed.

4. Interpretation and Evaluation: The findings from the textual and linguistic analysis
will be interpreted and evaluated in relation to Labov's Model of Narrative. The aim is to
identify the narrative techniques and their impact on the story's meaning and overall
literary experience.

Identification
Textual Linguistic Interpretation
of Narrative
Analysis Analysis and Evaluation
Components

4.2. Theoretical Framework

We have analyzed the story by following the six narrative components given by Labov. Different
research articles have been studied to support this research. William Labov’s (1972)
sociolinguistics model of narrative analysis has provided a theoretical framework for analyzing
the selected short story. Furthermore, Labov (1972) presented a six-schema sociolinguistics
model of narrative analysis and explained how each part could be used to analyze narrative
patterns and recognize recurring themes and ideas. He has explained the narrative components in
the following way in his model.

i. Abstract: What, in a nutshell, is this story about?

ii. Orientation: Who, when, where, what?
iii. Complicating action: Then what happened?
iv. Evaluation: So, what, how is this interesting?
v. Result or resolution: What finally happened?
vi. Coda: That's it, I have finished and am 'bridging' back to our present situation.
( Labov,1972 p.370)

Narrative functions and linguistic forms of Labov's narrative components

Narrative Narrative Narrative Function Linguistic Form

Category Question
Abstract What was this Signals that story is A short summarizing statement,
about? about to begin and provided before the narrative
draws attention to the commences
narrator
Orientation Who or what is Helps the listener to
involved in the identify the time, place, Characterized by past continuous

story? And when persona, activity, and verbs and adjuncts of time,

and where did it situation of the story manner, and place

take place?
Complicating Then what The core narrative Temporally ordered narrative
action happened? category provides the “ clauses with a verb in simple past
What happened” or present
element of the story
Resolution What finally Recapitulates the final Expressed as the last of the
happened? key event of a story narrative clauses that began the
complicating action
Evaluation So what? Functions to make the Includes intensifiers, model verbs,
 point of the story clear negatives, repetition, evaluative,
commentary, embedded speech,
comparisons with unrealized
events
Coda How does it all Signals that a story has Often a generalized statement that
end ended and brings the is timeless in feel
listener back to the point
at which he/she entered
the narrative

Labov says in his model that not every story needs to have all these six elements for instance
some stories may not contain abstract and coda. In addition to this, he says that there is no
specific sequence for these elements that they need to follow therefore they could be in several
forms.
 5. ANALYSIS
The following section delves deeper into the six structural aspects of Labov’s sociolinguistic
model to explain how language functions in O Henry’s narrative “The Gift of the Magi”. 

4.1. Abstract
According to Labov's model of narrative, the abstract refers to the introductory part of a narrative
that provides a summary or overview of the main events or central theme of the story. Abstract
gives an idea about the nature and happenings of the story. It is present in the title of the story. In
the case of "The Gift of Magi" by O. Henry, The title of this story gives the basic and important
information：
 There is a character in the story named “Magi”. She is going to have a story with
the “Gift”.
 The whole story revolves around the “Gift”. The story’s opening sentences
showed:

“Life for Della is much more hard”

 Which attracts readers to focus on what would happen next. The story revolves around Della
and Jim, a young married couple facing financial hardships. Despite their limited means, both
Della and Jim are determined to find the perfect gift for each other. Della sold her beautiful long
hair in order to buy a classy chain for Jim’s antique gold watch. Meanwhile, Jim pawns his
treasured watch to purchase jeweled embellished comb for Della’s precious locks.

4.2. Orientation

It is one of the most integral parts of the narrative according to William Labov’s model. It
answers the questions; who, when, and where. The setting of the story is covered by when and
where questions while who covers the characters of the story in orientation. Labov stated in his
model that an orientation clause provides information about the time, place, and names of the
characters in a story, as well as their initial behavior ( 1997). From Labov's point, it is revealed
that orientation plays an important role in familiarizing the audience or readers with the
characters' roles and actions. It creates a kind of feeling toward the characters. It usually also
describes the context in which the narrative unfolds. It is generally written in the past progressive
tenses to give readers background information about the incidents that are going to happen so
that they can easily comprehend why characters are behaving in this way as it is evident by the
Afsar research in 2006 where he stated that “The orientation is generally stated in the past
progressive indicating what happened before the event described. Labov on the other hand stated
in 1972 that the Orientation section consists of free clauses generally at the beginning of the
complexity( p.364). Moreover, it is also sometimes associated with evaluation as it helps in
emerging suspense among the readers by delaying the resolution, disguising the major characters'
information or personality, and offering more information in the problematic action or climax. In
addition to this Johnston stated, “ Orientation often occurs near the beginning, but maybe
interjected at other points, when needed” ( 2001; 638). It is demonstrated that usually the settings
of the stories and the names of the characters are introduced at the beginning of the stories but
sometimes the setting becomes more and more clearer as the story unfolds and characters are
introduced with respect to the event or incident therefore it can be said that the orientation
section is dispersed throughout the story.

4.2.1 Setting

A setting in a story is a time and place where narrative exists. A single story can have multiple
times and places but a story can’t exist without a setting. It is either outwardly articulated to us or
discretely suggested to us. It can be described by weather, clothing, culture, building, etc. Writers
use different ways to communicate settings but in literature, they usually use two ways known as
dialogue and description. The setting of the short story “The Gift of the Magi” is described
descriptively. It takes place in a furnished flat that has only a shabby couch in the hall, a small
letter box that can barely hold a letter, an out-of-order doorbell, and a looking glass in which a
person can see only half of himself at time. The narrator has made continuous references to the
cost of the apartment, $8 per week. The story is opened with the money issue which shows that
the characters are in poor living conditions. The setting of the story has revealed the financial
issues and has demonstrated that money is the major problem with which the characters of the
story have to deal. The setting is described in the story in the following way;

‘In the hall below was a letterbox, too small to hold a letter. There was an electric bell, but
it could not make a sound. Also, there was a name beside the door “ Mr. James Dillingham
Young”

‘There was a looking glass between the windows of the room’

‘It was very narrow. A person could see only a little of himself at a time’

In addition to this, the story is set in a Christmas time which is very significant because it
explains the reason why Della and Jim are looking for a present for each other. Furthermore, the
location is shifted with Della as she moves around the shops to buy a gift for Jim. The
description of these places is not mentioned only the name of one shop is told where Della has
sold her hair known as ‘Mrs.Sofronie’.

4.2.2 Point of view

The story is written in the third person omniscient which implies that the narrator knows
everything about the characters and has access to their internal thoughts although he is not part of
the story. All the incidents in the story witness the narrator's point of view, for instance at the
beginning of the story he familiarized us with the characters' homes as if he is aware of their
lifestyle. He said;

‘While the lady of the home is slowly growing quieter, we can look at the home’

5.2. 3 Characters

Della and Jim are the major characters of the story. Della is introduced at the beginning of the
story where she is dealing with the money issue as it is described as ‘one dollar and eighty-
seven cents. That was all and the next day would be Christmas’. While on the other hand,
Jim is introduced to us through the nameplate of the house. The story gradually revolves around
Della and Jim’s personality and character is revealed to us through the narrator's description
except by the end when he entered the house and had exchanged gift with Della. He is physically
presented to us only at the end of the story. For example, the narrator has told us that there are
only two valuable things for Jim that he owned, one is his father’s watch and the other is Della’s
hair. He said;

James Dillingham Young was very proud of two things which he owned. One thing was
Jim’s gold watch. It had once belonged to his father. And, long ago, it had belonged to his
father’s father. The other thing was Della’s hair.

Moreover, one minor character named Mrs.Sofronie is introduced. She is a shopkeeper and her
business is to buy and sell hair. She has only played the role of buying Della’s hair and giving
her twenty dollars at the cost of her hair.

5.3. Complicating action

Complicating action answers the question “And then what happened next”. It is associated with
the incidents or events that happened in the story. It is related to the story’s real happenings
which propel the plot and keep the audience engaged. It helps in making the story interesting and
worth reading as it makes the action complex and creates tension in the minds of readers and
they become desperate to know the resolution as Johnstone mentioned in his work The audience
is kept interested in the plot by the tension caused by the complex action (2001,p.639). On the
other hand, Labov also said, ‘the backbone of the tale is made up of a series of narrative phrases
that describe the following occurs in response to the inquiry, "And then what happened?” It can
be categorized as physical actions, thoughts, and statements spoken aloud by characters.
Moreover, actions are also associated with the setting that’s why complicating action and
orientation are somehow overlapped as is evident by the Afsar research in 2006 in which he said,
“This is usually the longest part of a story, and it contains both orientation and
assessment”(p.498).

The complicating action in the story “The Gift of the Magi” occurs when Della decides to sell
her hair in order to purchase a gift for Jim. It is mentioned in the story that Jim has pride over
Della’s hair therefore emerges tension among the audience that what will happen and what
would Jim say when he comes to know that Della has sold her hair. The story reaches its climax
when Jim has shown his gift of combs to Della which he has bought for her hair but now it is of
no use. On the other hand, Della’s gift becomes also useless because the chain she bought for
Jim’s watch is no longer owned by Jim. They both have sacrificed their most valuable things in
order to show love for each other through the exchange of gifts on Christmas but their wish can’t
be fulfilled as gifts become useless for each other. In the end, they realize that their love for each
other is a real gift to them.