Narrative Adaptation in Fictional Works amidst Covid-19: A Comparative Analysis of Plot and Character Development in Nnamdi Anumihe’s The Lockdown

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on narrative adaptation in Nnamdi Anumihe’s "The Lockdown," exploring four key research questions. The research explores how the pandemic influences thematic choices, character evolution, societal structures, and the narrative construction of resilience and adaptation in fictional narratives. Employing a qualitative methodology and guided by Genette's Narrative Discourse Theory, the analysis involves a close examination of excerpts from "The Lockdown." Findings reveal intricate narrative strategies, including non-linear presentations, shifts in focalization, thematic repetitions, and nuanced portrayals of character evolution and societal structures. The narrative construction of resilience and adaptation is depicted through linguistic devices, shifts in focalization, and mood variations, capturing moments of despair, uncertainty, and triumph. The study concludes that Genette's framework provides a valuable lens for understanding the pandemic's influence on narrative adaptation in fictional works. Recommendations include further exploration of specific narrative elements, comparative analyses across genres, longitudinal studies, and author interviews for a comprehensive understanding of pandemic-influenced storytelling.