The Modal Structure of Narrative Universes

Abstract

The narrative states are specified by a matrix gathering all the relevant state propositions asserted or entailed by the text, and ascribing a truth value to these propositions for every state ti (0 ? i ? n) of the narrative action.' (Which propositions are relevant is determined by the level of abstraction on which the plot is being represented.) The various states of affairs are separated by one or several propositions representing events. By event I mean a perfective process, that is, a process leading to a change of truth