An Analysis Of Themes And Narrative Features In The Girl Who Walked On Air

Emma Carroll,a modern English woman writer,graduated with distinction from Bath Spa University.So far,Emma has published four books.The Girl Who Walked on Air is her second book and has been nominated for the 2015 Carnegie Medal.The story revolves around a 13-year-old girl named Louie and her growth.Abandoned as a baby at Chipchase's Travelling Circus,Louie dreams of becoming a showstopper.All she needs is to be given the chance to shine.Louie overcomes numerous difficulties,comes to America and successfully crosses the Niagara Falls walking a tightrope.She not only realizes her dream,but also makes certain her origin and takes her mother back to Chipchase's Travelling Circus.The original English version of The Girl Who Walked on Air was published in July,2014.Professor Wang Qingyong takes the lead on translating the Chinese version which was published in June,2016.Therefore,the study of the book is basically blank both at home and abroad.Based on a close reading of The Girl Who Walked on Air,this thesis analyzes the themes and narrative features of this book to make readers have a more profound understanding of the book.This paper is divided into five parts.The introduction part includes a brief introduction of Emma Carroll and The Girl Who Walked on Air and literary review.The first chapter is the theoretical framework.This part reviews the origin and development process of growth novel and introduces its definition and common characteristics of themes and narrative features.The Girl Who Walked on Air not only matches the criteria of a Bildungsroman,but also displays most of the significant features of the Bildungsroman.Therefore,The Girl Who Walked on Air is Bildungsroman.The second chapter explores the themes of the book.The protagonist Louie's initiation is the most important theme;the process of growth is also the process of dream-pursuit.In addition,feminism is a distinctive feature of the novel.The third chapter analyzes the novel's narrative features from the perspectives of spatial shift,narrative techniques and narrative dynamic.The protagonist of Bildungsroman always leaves home,so “leaving home” is a necessary step in the growing-up of the protagonist.Therefore,spatial shift is inevitable in the process of growing-up;the use of narrative techniques,such as concise language,first-person narrative and contrasts,makes the novel distinctive;the protagonist Louie experiences ups and downs and becomes mature in thought and psychology,so the cognitive development of Louie is an important part of her growth.Louie's cognitive development not only promotes the development of the novel,but also contributes to the constructing of narrative units.The last part is the conclusion.Through analysis,the paper draws a conclusion that The Girl Who Walked on Air is a typical Bildungsroman but it also has its own characteristics in themes and narration.The application of the first-person narration,spatial shift and concise and vivid language makes the novel more interesting and attractive.In addition,the novel also focuses on the female initiation.Women get rid of oppression of the family and society,pursue equal job opportunities,achieve economic independence and ascension of social status and eventually gain independence,freedom and equal rights.