NARRATIVE TEXT (Legend)
1. Definition
According to J.A. Cuddon, a legend is a story or narrative that lies somewhere
between myth and historical fact and which, as a rule, is about a particular figure or person.
Traditionally, a legend is a narrative that focuses on a historically or geographically specific
figure, and describes his exploits. Similar to a myth, a legend can provide an etymological
narrative, often filling in historical gaps.
2. Social function of Narrative (legend)
The social function of a legend is to present the story of human actions in such a way
that they are perceived by the audience to be true. Actions are presented as if they have taken
place within human history. For its audiences, a legend has to include happenings that are not
outside the realm of possibility, but it may include miracles.
3. Generic Structure of Narrative (legend)
Legend or narrative text is formed by three elements/parts. They are orientation,
complication and resolution. Pay attention to the table below carefully.
Orientation - Introduces main characters, setting and time
(beginning or - The opening paragraph introduces characters/participants of the
introduction) story and sets the scene (it answer the questions who, when,
what and where).
Complicatio - The problem happens among the characters.
n - It is about the problems which involve the main characters in
(middle) the story developed.
Resolution - The problem is dissolved.
(ending) - It is about how the problems in the story are solved (better or
worse). Here the main characters find ways to solve the
problems.
4. Language Features of Legend
Narrative text (legend) has some language features as its characteristic. Pay attention
to the points below carefully.
- Using past tense
Legends texts can use all kinds of past tense, such as simple past tense, past continuous tense,
and past perfect tense.
Example : She took him to the river bank.
- Using adverb of time
Example : Once upon the time, there was …., One day, etc.
- Using adverb verb
Example : Before, he killed the king and took his position as the king.
- Using temporal conjunction
- Using direct speech
Example : Sidopekso said “… Banyu Wangi …”
- Using specific noun as pronoun of person, animal in the story.
Example : The king, The Prime Minister, etc.
Example :
The Legend of Makahiya
(Philippines)
Long time ago, there was a couple in Barangay Masagana (Pampanga today) who wanted a
daughter. Their wish was granted and the wife gave birth to a baby girl. They called her
Maria. Maria was very beautiful but very shy that she wouldn't go out from their house.
Weeks later, Spaniards came to their town. The Spaniards were very cruel that they get
everything they wanted. They rob houses and kill everyone who gets in their way and who
refuses to give what they wanted.
The couple was very frightened to lose their daughter so, they hid Maria in the bushes so the
Spaniards couldn't find her.
After the Spaniards left their town, the couple tried to look for Maria but they couldn't find
her even in the bushes where they hid her, instead they found a little plant that is very
sensitive that when you touch it, it would immediately close.
So they thought it was their daughter, Maria. They called the plant "Makahiya" that means
"touch me not," like their daughter who was very shy.
Source:myths.e2bn.org
Read the text below carefully then answer the questions!
It was a beautiful day. Everybody in the Kawar village was happy. The farmers had just had
their best harvest. The villagers were planning to hold a party to celebrate the good harvest.
On one beautiful day, all the villagers gathered in a field. They wore beautiful dresses and
made delicious food. Everybody was having good times! They were singing, laughings and,
of course, eating delicious food.
Almost all of the villagers went to the party. Unfortunately, there was one old woman who
still staying at her house. She was too old and weak to go to the party. Her son, her daughter-
in-law, and her grandson all went to the party. At home, the old woman felt very sad and
lonely. She was very hungry too. She tried to find some food in the kitchen, but she was very
disappointed, because daughter-in-law did not cook anything that day. At the party, the son
asked her wife, “Why don’t you take some food and deliver them to my mom? Ask our son to
deliver them.” Then the little boy brought the food to her grandmother. The old woman was
so happy. But her happiness turned into sadness when she saw the food was not in a good
condition. It seemed that someone had eaten the food. She just got little rice and fish bones.
The old woman was very sad. She thought bad things about her son. The old woman did not
know that it was her grandson who had eaten the food on the way from the party to the house.
She cursed her son. Then, a terrible thing happened. There was a great earthquake! Thunders
struck the village. And heavy rains started to fall. All the villagers were so scared. They
wanted to save themselves. They tried to find shelters. Slowly, the field turned into a lake.
The lake was getting bigger and bigger, and finally the whole village turned into a big lake.
People then named the lake Lau Kawar.
Questions:
1. Who are the main characters in the story?
2. Where did the story take place?
3. Who went to the party?
4. Why did the old woman get angry to her son?
5. What paragraphs is the resolution of the story?
