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osu1061234845.pdf (744.11 KB)
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Abstract Header
I see, he says, perhaps, on time: vision, voice hypothetical narration, and temporality in William Faulkner’s fiction
Author Info
FitzSimmons, David Scott
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1061234845
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2003, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, English.
Abstract
This study examines four narrative techniques in William Faulkner’s fiction in order to accomplish two things: 1) see what applying contemporary narrative theory to Faulkner can tell us about his narratives; and 2) see how examining Faulkner’s narratives can cause us to revise or extend concepts in narrative theory. In other words, the study establishes a recursive relationship between Faulkner’s fiction and narrative theory, one in which each subject matter can illuminate the other. The four narrative techniques examined include shifts in focalization, shifts in voice, hypothetical narration, and representations of time. Each chapter examines background theory, gives examples of the technique, offers explication of the technique, and analyzes the technique’s effects. The first chapter takes “Barn Burning” as its main example and looks at how to identify shifts in focalization (vision), develops a model of layers of focalization, and investigates their effects. Chapter two focuses on As I Lay Dying and “Old Man” and examines narrative voice, works at defining voice, distinguishes conventional markers of narrative voice from voice features, and explores the effect of narrative voice. The first two chapters in combination work to define the boundary between vision and voice. The third chapter looks at hypothetical narration. Of the three epistemic modes of narration, it is the uncertain form, and Faulkner makes extensive and innovative use of it particularly in my main example here, Absalom, Absalom!. The fourth chapter returns to “Barn Burning” and Absalom, Absalom! and examines Faulkner’s portrayal of time. The effect of Faulkner’s techniques suggest a temporal understanding similar to that of Henri Bergson: time is non-linear, more experiential than scientific. The conclusion suggests how the four techniques taken together contribute to an understanding of Faulkner’s quite Platonic epistemology: perfect knowledge is ultimately unattainable, yet humanity continues to strive toward it.
Committee
James Phelan (Advisor)
Pages
272 p.
Keywords
narrative theory
;
william faulkner
;
focalization
;
vision
;
voice
;
hypothetical narration
;
time
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Citations
FitzSimmons, D. S. (2003).
I see, he says, perhaps, on time: vision, voice hypothetical narration, and temporality in William Faulkner’s fiction
[Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1061234845
APA Style (7th edition)
FitzSimmons, David.
I see, he says, perhaps, on time: vision, voice hypothetical narration, and temporality in William Faulkner’s fiction.
2003. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1061234845.
MLA Style (8th edition)
FitzSimmons, David. "I see, he says, perhaps, on time: vision, voice hypothetical narration, and temporality in William Faulkner’s fiction." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1061234845
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
osu1061234845
Download Count:
5,233
Copyright Info
© 2003, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.