Jane Austen's Narrative Techniques: A Stylistic and Pragmatic Analysis / Edition 1

by Massimiliano Morini

Overview

Combining linguistic theory with analytical concepts and literary interpretation and appreciation, Jane Austen's Narrative Techniques traces the creation and development of Austen's narrative techniques. Massimiliano Morini employs the tools developed by post-war linguistics and above all pragmatics, the study of the ways in which speakers communicate meaning, since Austen's 'wordings' can only be interpreted within the fictional context of character-character, narrator-character, narrator-reader interaction. Examining a wide range of Austen texts, from her unpublished works through masterpieces like Mansfield Park and Emma, Morini discusses familiar Austen themes, using linguistic means to shed fresh light on the question of point of view in Austen and on Austen's much-admired brilliance in creating lively and plausible dialogue. Accessibly written and informed by the latest work in linguistic and literary studies, Jane Austen's Narrative Techniques offers Austen specialists a new avenue for understanding her narrative techniques and serves as a case study for scholars and students of pragmatics and applied linguistics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780754666073
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/28/2009
Edition description:	1
Pages:	172
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Massimiliano Morini is associate professor of English language and translation at the University of Udine, Italy

Table of Contents

Introduction; Part 1 Narrative; Chapter 1 Jane Austen’s Narrators; Chapter 2 The Development of Jane Austen’s Narrative Techniques; Chapter 3 Narrative Opacity in Mansfield Park; Part 2 Dialogue; Chapter 4 Jane Austen’s Dialogue; Chapter 5 Jane Austen’s Novels as Conversational Machines; Chapter 6 Winning the War of Conversation in Emma; Chapter 7 Conclusion;

Editorial Reviews

'Moroni's interest is not in presenting another soon-to-be-contested reading of Austen but in mapping the indeterminacy of her narrative style. Ideologies are at war in Austen's narrative, he admits, but "Austen's 'chameleonic' ability" makes it "close to impossible... to separate winners and the losers." This study will not stop others from trying to do so, but it does a good job explaining why no one, so far, has had the last word.' JASNA News

From the Publisher