The Identity
A dystopian novel
Why a Narrative?The reason narrative is chosen to demonstrate the practical use of paradoxical approach is first because they are a cognitively and emotionally natural way for people to communicate. Telling a story or connecting visuals to a coherent theme. Narratives allow designers to create an underlying emotional track that runs trough visuals. A prominent feature of narratives is that they are capable of captivating audience regardless of whether they are based on real experience or are completely fictional (Malamed, 2009). The other reason is because of the layers of complexity that narratives naturally have. Various scenarios and conditions can be imagined and made and there is no limit to it. Therefore, as the "world" is built and the characters are personified in the story, readers as audience can be engaged to get immersed to the narrative. |
The Identity: Online Version
You can read the online version of The Identity here.
Click on the bottom-right or bottom-left corner of the novel to flip through the pages.
Click here to reveal more story about The Identity
Paradoxical Components on The Identity
As mentioned earlier, there are four main ingredients of Paradoxical Framework, which are: Message, Contrasting idea, Contrasting Emotions, and Protective frames. These four items can all be found inside the story of The Identity.
|
Contrasting Idea
Of course the communication won’t be straightforward. That is where narratives help a lot in communicating twisted situations.
To express that message, a psychopath is chosen as the main protagonist (or better say antagonist). A psychopath who felt so low and spiteful about himself. He is struggling to accept the fact that he kills many people, that he decided to erase his own memory in order to find a new start, a new life as a good person. However, the new him somehow becomes too curious about what he's forgotten, he will chase the memories back. |
Conflicting Emotions
The conflicting emotions are clearly depicted mainly throughout the writing style. By using present tense and first person point of view, the aim is to describe more of the conditions/situations that the protagonist subjectively notices. This way, readers will know the thoughts and conflicts that are happening to the protagonist, subsequently allow them to feel for the protagonist.
The ending also provides a conflict, because there are two possible endings for the protagonist. As the readers choose, this affects personal options and therefore audience can be more engaged. And the layout of the novel is also arranged so as to increase tension and engagement, such as the repetitions and the small die cuts. |
1. Safety zone frame
In this case, the safe zone is defined by the timeline. The story happens in 2074, sixty far years ahead. And within the story, the safety zone frame is also subtly implied in the criminals’ exiled conditions, where they have to live in away from the citizens who do not break the laws. |
2. Frequency frame
Audience who often read and those who don’t would have different understanding of the story, especially since the genre is quite specific. Dystopian stories recently are blooming, so the timing is just right, people still have high interest in being frequently exposed to dystopian stories. |
3. Control frame
The control frame is clearly shown through the optional endings, this way audience will have control over determining how the story goes on. |
4. Medium frame
Each medium has its own strength in communicating the message. As for The Identity, the story is presented through printed version and digital book version. The tangible feeling of reading physical book definitely wins against the digital version this time in terms of personal touch, but the digital version is more accessible anytime and anywhere. |