Solo-narrative

A solo-narrative is a narrative delivered by a single person, character, or entity, without the immediate presence or interplay of other voices. It encompasses a broad range of storytelling formats, from written monologues and interior monologues in literature to spoken word performances, and even the narrative voice-overs found in documentaries or video games. The focus is squarely on a single perspective, shaping the audience’s understanding through that individual's experiences, thoughts, and emotions. The effectiveness of a solo-narrative hinges on the strength of the voice, its ability to capture and hold the listener's/reader's attention and convey depth and complexity despite the lack of direct dialogue or multiple points of view. It can also be presented as letters, diaries and autobiographies.

Solo-narrative meaning with examples

• In Shakespeare's *Hamlet*, Hamlet's famous soliloquies are quintessential solo-narratives. He wrestles with profound questions of life and death, and the audience is privy to his innermost thoughts, presented without any interaction with other characters. This single perspective creates an intimate connection, allowing the audience to understand Hamlet's motivations and emotional turmoil, driving the central tension of the drama.
• A documentary film might employ a solo-narrative by featuring a single individual recounting their experiences. For instance, an interview with a survivor of a natural disaster, where they detail the events from their point of view, providing a firsthand account of events and the emotional toll such events create, while also providing a humanizing element to a broader issue that is shown to the viewer.
• Consider a short story that is written entirely as a diary entry. The protagonist shares their feelings, secrets, and day-to-day observations, creating a solo-narrative that immerses the reader in their internal world. The absence of other characters' direct voices focuses the story's emotional impact and shapes the reader's understanding of the protagonist's psychological state and point of view.
• A video game character might relay the history of the game world. Through a single narrator's voice-over, the player receives exposition, context, and foreshadowing. The game can use this solo-narrative to convey a particular bias, or set the atmosphere. The tone of the single voice creates the player's perception of the world.