Justification for Narrative Criticism

Characteristics of the Narrative

At least two events, often causal, are happening.
The Snoodle is created, and the snoodle tries to solidify his identity.  

The narrative is temporal.
Chronology gives a temporal context, imperative to story-telling.
The Snoodle's desire to discover where he came from and what he was for.

The narrative is relational.
The Snoodle's decision to leave and the point he stops and listens to the big snoodle.

The narrative has a contextual unity.
The exchanges between the Little Snoodle and the older Snoodles and the exchange between the Little Snoodle and the Giant Snoodle.

Object of the narrative:
To instill the truth of the Christian culture that value comes from God and we can find self actualization and healing from negative experiences by seeing ourselves how God sees us.


SETTING
Location: held in Snoodleberg, Galoots.A made up place that sounds great to a kid, but without any true description.

Music: Lots of Brass instruments for a "Bright" sound.

Color: very pastel, relaxing colors. creating a peaceful spiritual tone.

 CHARACTERS
Little Snoodle: represents the viewer. The fact that he is insecure and feels out of place (5:12) makes him very relate able, especially for people who have experienced some form of  abuse (no matter how mild) in their lives. His being very young and impressionable generally invokes a protective, pitying emotion.

Big Snoodle: Represents God. Says things that God would tell someone struggling with identity issues (for whatever reason).

Other snoodles: Instilled Negative or worldly thoughts about the snoodle into his head. People or experiences that drag you down.

NARRATOR
Tone: Rhyming and making up words (like 3:37 "Coolish") is a reference to Dr. Seuss. An author who wrote modern, fun readers for children. This is to relate to a younger age group of kids, as well as the young adult generation who grew up with the original Dr. Seuss books.

EVENTS
(0:01-8:05) Little snoodle is created, given nothing but negative thoughts about himself from others until he runs away to the top of a distant mountain.

(8:06) The little snoodle had taken what the snoodles said right after he was created and latched onto it. He wouldn't hear any other perspective. This is very true for a lot of teens/young adults.

(8:46-9:-05) Everyone needs someone who can see them for their potential. Whether it is a friend, mentor, parent, or even an enemy there comes a point in most people's lives where they need someone outside them to question what they believe about themselves and what others have told them. 

(10:03-10:13). Often people who have been in rough situations are afraid to believe that there is power and good inside them. It is scary.

(10:13-11:00) Everyone needs to come to terms with how God sees them and what God's view is for their lives. This gives them the power to "Fly".

(11:30-12:18) When this happens those people can pull out old dreams, fly and help others.

(12:18-13:19) Often people who are changing negative thinking patterns need continued reinforcement.

TEMPORAL RELATIONS
Speed: The event's take place over a day or two. However they are told in 13 minutes. It was shortened so we could see the effects of the story.

CAUSAL RELATIONSHIPS

The series of events in this story are overseen by the “giant Snoodle at the top of the hill”. They are natural. Most of the emphasis is put in the effect of what happens.

AUDIENCE

Target Audience: Children of religious parents.

THEME

If we focus on who God sees then what anyone else says doesn't matter.

TYPE OF NARRATIVE

This is a Romance. The little snoodle has to fight an enemy (the negative views of himself) and comes away victorious and enlightened (with a positive view of himself and able to fly).