Analyzing Narrative Functions and Components in Julian Castro's Presidential Announcement Address
Overview
This paper analyzes Julian Castro's Presidential Announcement Address through the lens of narrative theory, examining how the speech employs six key narrative functions identified by Rowland: adding interest, creating identification, persuading, encapsulating claims, generating emotional response, and transporting audiences. The analysis demonstrates that Castro's address effectively fulfills all six functions through personal anecdotes about his grandmother's immigration and family history to connect with immigrant audiences and advance his political message.
What this essay covers
- Introduction to Rowland's six narrative functions and components of narrative structure
- Analysis of formal narrative components in Castro's address including characters, setting, plot, and theme
- Examination of how Castro's address fulfills each of the six narrative functions through personal testimony and storytelling
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Analyzing Narrative
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Analyzing Narrative
Rowland identifies the six functions of narrative as adding interest, creating identification, persuading, encapsulating claim, creating an emotional response, and transporting people to another place or time. There are several components of narrative, including characters, setting, plot, and theme. The paper identifies the formal components of Julian Castro’s “Presidential Announcement Address” and makes an argument whether the testimony fulfills each of the six functions of narrative.
Castro’s address changes different functions and components of narrative throughout the text. He first starts by talking about his grandmother, who immigrated in 1922, and narrates his early life in San Antonio. After that, he discusses the recent experiences as a public servant. The larger-than-life heroes of the address are the grandmother and mother, credited for the narrator's success. There are also everyday heroes within the story, the immigrants moving into America searching for opportunities. The antagonists are individuals and entities impeding the American dream and prosperity of the country. These people include immoral leaders, multinationals, and public officials.
The plot starts with the successes of a first-generation immigrant family personifying the pursuers of the American Dream. It climaxes when the narrator demonstrates how the dream can be sustained for everyone and make America prosperous. The speaker finishes by appealing for support in his presidential bid.