The Interstitial Narrative Image: From Ornament to Boundary-Crossing

Abstract

This study traces the transformation of the narrative image from its traditional ornamental and figurative functions to its interactive, cognitive, and cultural dimensions. Drawing on interactionist and cognitive theories of metaphor, it examines how the image transcends the limits of isolated figurative expression to become an active force in shaping narrative structures and producing meaning. It conceptualizes the interstitial narrative image as a postmodern form that crosses conventional boundaries through hybridity, fragmentation, and intertextuality. The study concludes that the image is not merely a decorative device, but a central semantic force connecting narrative structures with broader cultural and cognitive contexts.