Narrative Analysis

By Genevieve M. Nangit
February 27, 2024

“City of Sand” Narrative Analysis: A Summary

My narrative analysis of this chapter in the novel “Blonde” has 5 topics:

1. Gladys’ nature of self through her concrete physical facts
2. Gladys’ nature of self through her concrete social facts
3. Della’s familial relationship: Della and herself, Della as a mother, Della as a grandma
4. Norma Jeane’s nature of self through her concrete physical facts
5. Three special events: Gladys’ bathing of Norma Jeane, Adult concept of death, Norma
Jeane’s truth

Gladys’ nature of self through her concrete physical facts was presented in reference of her
physical characteristics and her work in the studio.

Gladys’ nature of self through her concrete social facts was reflected in her mannerisms and held
values during the moments when she was being true to her self, when she was being a career
woman, and when she was being a heterosexual woman.

The familial theory was applied to the events that portrays Della’s parenting, that is, when she
was being a mother to Gladys and when she was being a grandmother to Norma Jeane.

Norma Jeane’s nature of self through concrete physical facts was made visible during the burning
of the apartment of Gladys.

The 3 events I am interested to elaborate are about Gladys’ bathing of Norma Jeane, the adults’
concept of death, and Norma Jeane’s truth at the age of eight.

Reference
Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates. 2000. 4th Estate: London, UK