Narrative Analysis Frameworks
Olrik’s Epic Laws
Axel Olrik’s essays of 1908–1909 describe recurring compositional patterns in folk narrative. The thirteen headings below group the principles commonly presented together in “Epic Laws of Folk Narrative.”
“Laws” is the historical term. Use these as tendencies to investigate, allowing exceptions, genre differences and the choices of individual tellers.
Thirteen compositional principles
Names vary in translation. Opening and closing are grouped together here. These headings are reference aids, rather than catalogue identifiers.
| Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Opening and closing | The narrative moves from calm into action, then returns towards calm rather than stopping at its climax. |
| Repetition | Similar events or encounters recur, giving the narrative shape and emphasis. |
| Three | Groups of three often organise characters, attempts or episodes. |
| Two to a scene | An active encounter tends to focus on two participants at a time. |
| Contrast | Opposed qualities sharpen the roles of characters and the shape of a conflict. |
| Twins | Paired figures acting together can share a subordinate role; if differentiated, they may become contrasting figures. |
| Importance of final position | The last member of a series often receives the strongest narrative emphasis or sympathy. |
| Single strand | The telling follows one line of action rather than interweaving simultaneous plots. |
| Patterning | Repeated situations follow a recognisable arrangement, often with closely parallel wording or action. |
| Tableaux scenes | A striking arrangement of figures or actions concentrates the force of an episode into a memorable scene. |
| Logic of the narrative world | The story follows its own premises and expectations, including supernatural ones. |
| Unity of plot | Episodes contribute to a central action rather than remaining unrelated incidents. |
| Concentration on a leading character | Narrative attention gathers around a principal figure and that figure’s fortunes. |
Using this reference
For a later annotation, identify the episode and evidence: for example, three successive attempts. Distinguish a feature you observed from an inference about how the tale was composed.
Compare complete versions where possible. A shortened synopsis may remove repetitions or framing, so their absence in a summary cannot establish their absence in performance.
Each heading has a stable link for citation and future cross-referencing. Narrative associations will follow later analysis.
Sources and further reading
Olrik, Axel. “Episke love i folkedigtningen.” Danske Studier (1908): 69–89; “Epische Gesetze der Volksdichtung.” Zeitschrift für deutsches Altertum und deutsche Literatur 51 (1909): 1–12. English translation by Jeanne P. Steager in Alan Dundes, ed., The Study of Folklore (1965), 129–141.
- Original German article (1909): JSTOR record
- University of Tbilisi: scholarly discussion of the epic laws
The explanations are concise editorial summaries. Published identifiers are distinguished from this page’s reference headings and suggested recording practices.
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