Abstract:     Given the textual paths it relies on, western narratology can hardly explain Chinese traditional fictions in terms of narrative complexity, plots, uniqueness of characters, certain narrative patterns and logic, and narrative gap. Moreover, its theoretical construction in implied author, narrative reliability, narrative perspective, and semantics’square array, fails to explain Chinese traditional fictions effectively. In addition, its narrative critique on concrete works cannot contain the multiple dimensional commentary on Chinese traditional fictions as well. Therefore, western narratology presents many predicaments when applied to Chinese traditional fictions.

Key words: western narratology, Chinese traditional fictions, predicament