ABSTRACT
In Chapter 3, the basic stories of Root Narrative Theory come into conversation with one another. Taking the language of moral grammar seriously, each of the “big four” root narratives is represented as a primitive sentence with four critical elements that define the structure or moral logic of the sentence. Each sentence has an antagonist function with both plot and character elements; the bad actor or villain is the character element and the source of abusive power is the plot element. Each sentence also has a protagonist function that joins distinctive character and plot elements. The victim/hero is the character element of the protagonist function and the injustice which the protagonist function suffers is the plot function. These elements can then be thought of as modular, antagonist and protagonist functions can be exchanged across root narrative categories subject to the semiotic constraints implied by the theory of Algirdas Greimas. This semantic versatility of root narrative functions complicates the root narrative structure. Instead of a single root narrative associated with the core values of security, liberty, equality, and dignity, there are three possible versions of each. This twelve-category provides the analyst with twelve primitive sentence structures to look out for in conflict data. The names for these root narratives are defined and their meaning explored in the rough.
