敘事作品的內容可以從兩個方面考察。一是這些內容所包含的人物、情節、環境、事件、場景、細節等要素以及這些要素的多寡,一是這些要素之間的相互聯系與組織。西方敘事側重要素的具體呈現,中國敘事側重要素之間的關系。這表現在三個方面。其一,從內容上看,西方敘事文學側重要素的細度,中國敘事文學側重要素的密度。其二,從形式方面看,西方敘事技巧主要是圍繞要素的呈現而設置與展開的,中國敘事技巧則主要圍繞要素的關系而設置和展開。其三,從內容與形式的關系看,相比而言,中國古代敘事作品內容對形式的影響與制約程度要高許多,而西方敘事文學形式對內容的影響與選擇則更為突出。

The content of narrative works can be examined from two aspects: the elements of characters, plots, environments, events, settings, details and the total number of the elements, and the connection and organization of elements. Western narrative lays particular emphasis on the detailed demonstration of elements, while Chinese narrative focuses on the interrelationship of elements. Specifically, in terms of content, Western narrative literature pays attention to the details of elements, while Chinese narrative literature pays attention to the thickness of elements. As for the form, Western narrative strategies serve for the presentation of element, while Chinese narrative techniques work for the relationship of elements. Given the correlation between content and form, the form of traditional Chinese narrative works is conditioned by their content, while Western novels enjoy more freedom in form.