I really do want to ask this question, and I really am confused on what I should be asking about. So I'll keep reposting until someone responds. Can't close as dupe in chat! :)

@Tsundoku How isn't theater a narrative? Theater is definitely getting a story across, and most poetry is as well (even if it's a nonsensical narrative).

@Mithical Theatre isn't narrative because it shows instead of telling.

Not sure I'm getting the distinction you're making. A movie is a narrative, it's just that the primary medium is visual. It's still getting a story across. Theater is a visual and verbal narrative.

@Mithical You're employing a definition of narrative in which any sort of text is interpreted as a "narrative" - i.e. from a discourse point of view. When we talk about literary genres, narrative, lyrical and dramatic are separate concepts - i.e. from a genre point of view. This distinction between narrative and dramatic is entirely uncontroversial.

Curious what your thoughts are on where erdogic texts fall on this, since they deliberately adopt both forms... (and if the decision can be supported as anything other than a choice about what feels like it fits better).

I haven't read any ergodic texts so far. I'm not sure what you mean by "both forms".