Narrative Voice In Pride And Prejudice
...and Prejudice¡¦, Jane Austen uses different narrative techniques to enhance our understanding of the story and of the characters in this chapter. The techniques include ¡¥showing¡¦, which involves direct speech and ¡¥telling¡¦ where the narrator describes what happens, what the characters say and how they feel.Ï ¡¥Showing¡¦ allows the reader to see the character in conversation with others. In comparison ¡¥Telling¡¦ involves using the techniques of free indirect speech and focalization giving the reader an in-depth view of the character and ¡¥telling¡¦ their thoughts and feelings. *
In chapter 17 the story is being told by the omniscient narrator, who describes events from a third- person point of view.Ï The narrator knows what the character feels and thinks.
The chapter begins with an example of ¡¥telling¡¦ using indirect speech: ¡§Elizabeth related to Jane the next day, what had passed between Mr. Wickham and herself.¡¨* This allows the reader to imagine that Elizabeth has thought about what was discussed between herself and Mr. Wickham the previous day and has decided to discuss this with her sister, Jane. It also shows the reader how close the two sisters are,Ï it is like a piece of gossip between the two characters. Even though as a reader we do not know what Elizabeth has said to Jane and how she has said it,Ï we know to trust the narrator and by using indirect speech the reader knows to trust Elizabeth¡¦s account to be true. *
The narrator then uses Jane as the focializer and ¡¥telling¡¦ the reader Jane¡¦s reaction to what Elizabeth is saying through Jane¡¦s eyes. ¡§Jane listened with astonishment and concern; - *she knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr. Bingley¡¦s regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham.¡¨* The reader is seeing how Jane...
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