Narrative cartography

Abstract

Narrative cartography is the graphic representation of the spatial configuration of the worlds represented by literary texts. This representation can take many forms, depending on the relation of the textual world to the real world: annotating real‐world maps when the setting corresponds to real‐world locations; augmenting real‐world maps with fictional toponyms, in the case of mixed, real–imaginary geographies; and drawing maps entirely based on textual data in the case of purely imaginary storyworlds such as those of fairy tales and fantasy. This entry examines the various purposes of literary mapping, the genetic relations between texts and maps (whether the map precedes, follows, or assists the writing of the text), and the possible identities of map‐makers (author, illustrator, reader). It also considers metaphorical interpretations of the notion of map, according to which the text itself fulfills a cartographic function.

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