Final answer:
The statement is false; a person's narrative identity includes settings, scenes, characters, plots, and themes because they contribute to the story a person constructs about their evolution and experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a person's narrative identity does not include setting, scenes, characters, plot, and themes is FALSE. Narrative identity indeed encompasses these elements as they all contribute to the ongoing story a person creates about themselves. This internalized story is an evolving narrative that includes a person’s experiences, and interactions and is expressed through first-person (or sometimes third-person) narration. Much like in creative nonfiction, a personal narrative involves descriptive imagery, setting, plot, conflict, characters, and various literary devices to articulate one’s life.
Constructing a narrative identity involves choosing events and people that are compelling and share a common theme, indicative of personal growth. Characters in personal narratives, typically based on real people, are portrayed with specific character traits, allowing the narrator to focus, ignore, minimize, or exaggerate certain aspects to craft a more engaging story. How these characters speak, act, and interact all contribute to the development of the narrative identity. As the narrative unfolds, the narrator can create a persona, almost like a mask, that represents but doesn't fully equate with the actual self. This persona is crafted to communicate effectively with the audience.
Therefore, a personal narrative employs literary elements to tell the story of a person’s development, defining the nuances and complexities of one's narrative identity. The characterization, point of view, the narrator's voice, and the organization of the narrative all play crucial roles in shaping the portrayal of this identity.