Narration Flashcards
types of narration
homodiegetic
autodiegetic
heterodiegetic
free indirect style
first person
third person
homodiegetic
the narrator participates in the story but is not a main character
autodiegetic
it is the protagonist’s narrative
THT is a first person, autodiegetic narrative
heterodiegetic
third person narration
the narrator is not a character in the story
omniscient narrative
(1984 is a heterodiegetic narrative, also known as as a psycho narrative in which we see Winston’s thoughts and emotions but it is not his ‘voice’ narrating)
free indirect style/discourse
third person narrator takes the words of a character as if they themselves have said it
they take on the perspective of that character, essentially reporting what they have said
(used in 1984)
what is the effect of autodiegetic narration in THT?
Offred had control over her own story, which demonstrates her power and suggests she has some form of control, she is not a powerless victim
we view Moira as a more powerful character yet she does not narrate her own story, it is Offred who gives her a voice and keeps the memory of her alive
however, it is revealed that Offred’s story has been interpreted by male scholars using audiotapes — perhaps suggesting she is actually powerless over her narrative
examples of free indirect style in THT, what is the effect of this?
Offred recalls the words of Aunt Lydia multiple times, as if she is saying them herself
shows the control and power of the narrator, she is able to take someone else’s words as her own and she has the power to decide whether to give them a voice in her story or not
however, it also shows her susceptibility to indoctrination and brainwashing as she often quotes Aunt Lydia and Aunt Lydia’s lessons stay with her throughout the book
in 1984, the narrator takes Winston’s thoughts and emotions — illustrating the surveillance over Winston and his story, Winston ultimately lacks control over his narrative
