Final answer:
Genre conventions in crime narratives, like the criminal being caught, reflect societal order by showing justice prevail, which aligns with Neale's concept of genre enforcing social norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the outcome of the narrative conforms to the conventions of the crime genre, with the criminal being caught, it reflects the idea posited by Neale that genres establish a sense of order in society. Following genre conventions, particularly in crime stories, reflects and reinforces societal rules where those who break the law are punished. In this way, the genre serves to align the narrative order with social order. The inevitable capture of the criminal not only satisfies the audience's expectation for justice but also acts as a reaffirmation of societal norms and the rule of law.
Moreover, the predictability of such narratives underlines the reassuring function of genre stories. They suggest that despite the occurrence of crime, the justice system in place is effective and capable of restoring balance. This concept mirrors Mills' theories on how society's power structure may be reflected in the handling of crime, with media narratives often reinforcing the perception of an effective justice system at work, regardless of the discrepancies observed in real-world situations involving privileged individuals.