A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of a metanarrative?

1. Romantic literature

2. The Fall from grace in religious texts

3. Local historical accounts

4. Modern documentary films

The correct answer is: The Fall from grace in religious texts

A metanarrative refers to a grand, overarching story or theory that seeks to provide a comprehensive explanation of historical events, social phenomena, or cultural practices. It often claims to provide a universal truth that applies across various contexts. The Fall from grace in religious texts exemplifies a metanarrative because it portrays a fundamental narrative about human nature, morality, and the relationship between humanity and the divine. This narrative attempts to explain the origins of sin and the human condition, serving as a foundational story that influences various religious beliefs and moral frameworks. Romantic literature, local historical accounts, and modern documentary films tend to focus on specific themes, perspectives, or events without offering a broad claim to universal truth that characterizes a metanarrative. Instead, they provide localized or subjective interpretations of experiences, rather than the grand theories and narratives exemplified by the Fall from grace.