Narrative Semantics, Modal Logic and Fictional Possible Worlds

The theory of possible worlds presents a model for narrative semantics. This essay focuses on the use of possible worlds’ theory in narrative semantics with interdisciplinary approach. Conception of narration based on possible worlds’ perspective is the main purpose of this paper. Based on this perspective, plot is not only textual actual worlds which some events occur in it, but also include possible worlds which without regarding them, narrative semantics will remain incomplete. Such perspective is derived of semantics of modal logic; therefore, for explanation of this perspective attention to modal logic is necessary. Contemporarysemantic theories have three main branches: philosophical, formal and linguistic semantics. Linguistic semantics uses formal semantics as a semantic logic in order to make clear how the study of meaning is. In this essay it will be illustrated that logical semantics can be applied in narrative semantics. Consequently, if the readers include private worlds of characters or fictional minds’ worlds and various possible worlds in their reading, they will get more complete and more profound conception in reading narrative text, because a fiction is considered as a complete modal system and the mental representations of characters is equal with the PWs of a modal system. Some of accomplishments got, through foreshadowing to meaning of narrative text on the basis of this model, are the redefinition of plot and conflict notion. In order to apply this model in a narrative text, the binary Wandering Island and Wandering Cameleer novels by Simin Daneshvar has been chos