Speech and Thought Representation in the Beautyful Ones are Not Yet Born
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Date
2012-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Speech/Thought representation in literature is dubious, for the relationship between the
speech/thought represented and the representing clause, the quoted speaker and the
narrator/reporter, and the speaking situation of the two speeches have complex and
ambiguous features. Especially, when the character’s speech or consciousness is
registered in Free Indirect mode, tracing the source of the speeches/consciousnesses
becomes problematic as the character’s and the narrator’s speeches/consciousnesses are
blended ambiguously.
Hence, this thesis intends to probe and depicts the aforementioned features of various
modes of Speech and Thought representation and the effects the modes have in The
Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born. To this end, relevant extracts that represent the modes
used are selected and analyzed thoroughly. Consequently, the study depicts that Direct
and Free Direct, Quoted Indirect, and Indirect modes of Speech are applied in the novel
under study. The first two modes are used to show interging events and behaviors that
move the plot of the novel forward and to portray character’s behavior. Quoted Indirect
Speech is also used widely to bring in the past experience of characters to their
immediate story with their own words rather than the narrator’s words. Thus, their
reported experiences are emphasized for they are represented in the narrator’s direct
report. However, the narrator’s Indirect report is applied to represent past information
used as a background for the story narrated. Nevertheless, Free Indirect Speech is rarely
used in the novel.
Moreover, Modes of Free Direct, Indirect and Free Indirect Thought are used in the
novel. Despite mode of Direct Though is rarely applied, Free Direct mode is employed to
let readers probe in the character’s mind and learns about their consciousness with less
narratorial intervention. Furthermore; Free Indirect Thought is applied to portray the
consciousness of the character, to ridicule on characters and to create sympathy. Besides,
it is used to control the reader’s response to characters. More to the point, the Indirect
Speech is applied to provide information has a background effect.
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Keywords
Speech and Thought Representation