An Analysis Of The Narrative Strategies In Death Kit From The Perspective Of Narratology

Susan Sontag(1933-2004),known as “the conscience of American public”,is one of the most outstanding contemporary American writers.Surrounded by books of different fields,Sontag has a broadly knowledgeable mind and keen insights.Her creations are on a wide range of subjects: literature,photography,politics and so on.In addition to novel and essay,she also has made a career out of film and play.She totally publishes 4 long novels,1 collection of short stories,1 play,7 collections of critical essays and directs 4 films.In China,most of studies on Death Kit concentrate on the themes of existence,death,and self.There are few researches on Death Kit from the perspective of narratology.Based on the classical narratology,the thesis intends to make a specific analysis of Death Kit through the research method of close reading.The first is to focus on the various narrative characteristics of the novel,and the second is to explore the theme and cultural connotations shown in Death Kit for the sake of revealing Sontag’s unique aesthetic ideas.Based on this principle,this thesis attempts to study Sontag’s narrative practice from the perspective of narrative point of view,narrative time and narrative discourse.The thesis consists of three parts: the introduction,the body,and the conclusion.The introduction focuses on Sontag’s literary career and Death Kit,literature review at home and abroad.The body part is composed of three parts.The first chapter focuses on flexible and changeable narrative point of views.The omniscient point of view helps readers to zoom out and get background information.Sontag frequently uses the fixed internal point of view so as to directly disclose the flow of Diddy’s thoughts in the process of seeking self and the meaning of life and death.The second chapter deals with techniques of narrative time in Death Kit.In terms of time duration,by applying narrative techniques such as summary and pause,Sontag can successfully change the narrative rhythm.The aforementioned distortion of narrative time provides an almighty narration.As for frequency,repetitive narrative is constantly used in Death Kit,which also shows the subtle changes of characters’ personalities.The last chapter analyzes the narrative discourse in Death Kit.Sontag shows directly or indirectly the contradictions of the protagonist Diddy’s inner world caused by the ineffective pursuit of oneself,as well as Sontag’s unique narrative techniques,especially the use of free direct speech and free indirect speech.This kind of fractional narration demonstrates Sontag’s unique aesthetics of silence.With the narrative theory,this thesis not only points out Susan Sontag’s mature narrative skills,but also demonstrates her unique formal aesthetics.The story of pursuing self and exploring the meaning of life,has practical significance for contemporary readers.