Logical Inference and Cognitive Engagement in Noel Carroll's Theory of Narrative Closure
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1610.13Keywords:
narrative closure, erotetic narrative, causality, Noel CarrollAbstract
This paper explores the intersection of logic and narratology in Noel Carroll's theory of narrative closure (2007). Grounding his theory in the logic of questions and answers, technically known as inferential erotetic logic, Carroll built his theory on the concept of the erotetic narrative, which employs, according to inferential logic, causal narrative connections to pose questions to the reader as a means to process the narrative cognitively. According to Carroll, narrative closure occurs when these questions are answered, manifesting as a phenomenological feeling experienced by the reader. This paper identifies a critical gap in Carroll's theory, which is the omission of logical inference in achieving narrative closure. By omitting the role of inference, Carroll's theory reduces closure to a purely plot-driven process, overlooking the cognitive mechanisms through which readers generate and resolve questions. This paper argues that the re-institution of inference in Carroll’s theory offers a more comprehensive understanding of how narrative closure functions, extending beyond the plot to include the reader's active engagement in question generation and resolution.
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