narrative incoherence

[ˈnærətɪv ɪnkoʊˈhɪrəns]
nounpl: narrative incoherences
incoerência narrativa
1. A lack of logical consistency, clarity, or connection within a story or account; when the sequence of events, character motivations, or plot elements do not align or make sense together
The film suffered from narrative incoherence when the protagonist's motivations suddenly changed without explanation.
O filme sofreu com incoerência narrativa quando as motivações do protagonista mudaram repentinamente sem explicação.
2. In literary criticism, the failure of a narrative to maintain a coherent structure, causing confusion or disruption to reader comprehension
Critics pointed out the narrative incoherence in the novel's nonlinear timeline.
Críticos apontaram a incoerência narrativa na cronologia não linear do romance.
3. A situation where different parts of a story contradict each other or lack thematic unity
The screenplay's narrative incoherence made it difficult for audiences to follow the plot.
A incoerência narrativa do roteiro dificultou o acompanhamento da trama pelo público.
The term 'narrative incoherence' is widely used in film, literary, and television criticism in both Brazil and the USA. In Brazilian media criticism, particularly in publications like Folha de S.Paulo and O Globo, this term is frequently employed to critique storytelling. In American criticism, it's common in academic writing and professional film reviews. The concept reflects a modern audience expectation for tightly constructed narratives, though postmodern and experimental works sometimes deliberately employ narrative incoherence as an artistic choice.
NYC Slang
the story don't add up; plot holes; messy storytelling
Synonyms / Sinônimos
narrative inconsistencyplot incoherencelogical inconsistencynarrative confusionstructural incoherencethematic inconsistency
Antonyms / Antônimos
narrative coherencenarrative consistencylogical consistencynarrative clarityplot consistency

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
incoerência narrativa
Standard term used in literary criticism and media analysis
São Paulo
incoerência da narrativa
Alternative phrasing commonly used in academic contexts
Rio de Janeiro
falta de coerência narrativa
More descriptive phrasing emphasizing the absence of coherence
Portugal
incoerência narrativa
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; also used in formal criticism and academia

Related Words

narrativecoherenceplotstorytellingcharacter developmentnarrative structurenarrative flowexposition

Related Idioms & Phrases

a story that doesn't hold water
loose ends
plot holes
narrative thread unravels
story falls apart
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