In the book of Kings, we are presented with an argument in support of this conclusion: The narrative suggests that the burdens of taxation and forced labor imposed by Solomon -- so that he can build large armies, harems and palaces -- cause the mutiny that tears the kingdom into two and ultimately brings about its destruction.
It is a curious project and its ultimate value, the narrative suggests, is more in its conception than its execution.
Although the book is for the most part incomprehensibly dense, it is at times rich in fantasy and longing, with scenes suggesting transformative sex — a way, the narrative suggests, for Robert to achieve his dream of entering "the titanic other".
The misery of the '30s was of such magnitude, or so the narrative suggests, that most people want to believe it must have been preceded a force of similar magnitude.
The conclusiveness of the narrative suggests that African-American history is a linear progression from bondage to freedom and more importantly that race relations and the circumstances of black people's lives are always steadily improving.
For Colleen West, the actress played by Ellen Barkin in "____ Year," it was — as the unprintable title of this experimental narrative suggests — a long, lousy time, and now it's gone, Baby, gone.
This new narrative suggests that a "window" to address urban policymaking has been opened, "even" in the absence of calamitous rioting.
What this portion of the narrative suggested to me was that Commoner's view of the conflict between national security and public health should be reformulated.
In the end, Lee's incisive vision of herself and others is her downfall but also — as this richly textured narrative suggests — her greatest gift.
