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Narrative Voice In Pride And Prejudice
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Lauren Ponder
Narrative Techniques in ÐÐŽÐҐPride and PrejudiceÐЎЦ *
Throughout chapter 17 of ÐÐŽÐҐPride and PrejudiceÐЎЦ, Jane Austen uses different narrative techniques to enhance our understanding of the story and of the characters in this chapter. The techniques include ÐÐŽÐҐshowingÐЎЦ, which involves direct speech and ÐÐŽÐҐtellingÐЎЦ where the narrator describes what happens, what the characters say and how they feel.ЄДЏ ÐÐŽÐҐShowingÐЎЦ allows the reader to see the character in conversation with others. In comparison ÐÐŽÐҐTellingÐЎЦ involves using the techniques of free indirect speech and focalization giving the reader an in-depth view of the character and ÐÐŽÐҐtellingÐЎЦ 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.ЄДЏ The narrator knows what the character feels and thinks.

The chapter begins with an example of ÐÐŽÐҐtellingÐЎЦ using indirect speech: ÐЎЧElizabeth related to Jane the next day, what had passed between Mr. Wickham and herself.ÐÐŽÐЁ* 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,ЄДЏ 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,ЄДЏ we know to trust the narrator and by using indirect speech the reader knows to trust ElizabethÐЎЦs account to be true. *

The narrator then uses Jane as the focializer and ÐÐŽÐҐtellingÐЎЦ the reader JaneÐЎЦs reaction to what Elizabeth is saying through JaneÐЎЦs eyes. ÐЎЧJane listened with astonishment and concern; – *she knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr. BingleyÐЎЦs regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham.ÐÐŽÐЁ* The reader is seeing how Jane is reacting to the news that Elizabeth is giving her, she is astonished because she would not have thought that Mr. Bingley, whom she values highly, would be connected to Mr. Darcy if he had behaved in this way. However, she is also showing concern as she is hoping for marriage to Mr. Bingley and does not want anything to intervene.* Free indirect speech uses the tone and kind of expressions that the character him/herself may use; Jane is the type of character who would not look for bad qualities in people, and so is keeping an open mind about Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy. She believes that there must be another explanation for the conflict between them.*

The next few paragraphs show direct speech between Jane and Elizabeth ÐÐŽÐҐshowingÐЎЦ their differences on opinion of the news.ЄДЏ Jane tells Elizabeth that she believes that there can be no blame on either party and that there must be a misunderstanding: ÐЎЧInterested people have perhaps misrepresented each other.ÐÐŽÐЁ However, this could also be the character of Jane seeing the good in everybody and again questioning why Bingley would be associated with Darcy if he had done this. Elizabeth replies to Jane in a mocking tone. This suggests the closeness between them, but also that Elizabeth is trying to convince Jane that her point of view is the correct one: ÐЎЧVery true indeed;-and now, my dear Jane, what have you got to say in behalf of the interested people who have probably been concerned in the business?ÐÐŽÐЁ*

Throughout the dialogue between Elizabeth and Jane the narrator is ÐÐŽÐҐshowingÐЎЦ the reader how Elizabeth is trying to convince Jane that Wickham has given a true and honest account of what happened between him and Darcy: ÐЎЧI can *believe Mr. BingleyÐЎЦs being imposed on, than that Mr Wickham should invent such a history of himself as he gave me last night; names, facts, everything mentioned with ceremony.ÐÐŽÐЁ

As a reader, we instinctively* believe Elizabeth here and that Wickham is right about Darcy. The reader does not have to question Elizabeth as a narrator because the reader trusts her and likes the character. However, it is possible to guess that events may prove her prejudice wrong. So far, though, the readerÐЎЦs sympathies are with Elizabeth who seems to have an ironic but apparently astute grasp of events. *

Even though Elizabeth has stated that Wickham has used names and facts to convince Elizabeth, Jane still doesnÐЎЦt believe the situation to be true. ÐЎЧIt is difficult indeed.ÐÐŽÐЁ This direct speech further demonstrates JaneÐЎЦs