The Narrative Art Of Presentation Of The Inward Life In The Rainbow

D.H. Lawrence is one of the most original, controversial and ahead-of-his-time writers in the twentieth century English literature. Although some of his novels were banned for boldly involving the importance of sexual life when they were published, his great contribution for the world literature is eventually confirmed and admired. During his short life span, he had been carrying out what was the"modernist experiments"to catch on the inner flames of human mind. What's more, he is famous for his consciousness of innovation and established his distinct narrative style, especially the narrative art of presentation of the characters'inward life.The discussions will be based on the narrative art of The Rainbow, which is generally acknowledged as one of his best and most controversial works. This novel is more representative in narrative maneuvers than others. Hence an attempt is made in this thesis to provide an analysis of Lawrence's art of presentation of inward life based on the theories of fictional narratology and fictional rhetoric, with an aim to have better understanding of Lawrence's novel and benefit both the study and the appreciation of other literary works.The thesis is made up of three parts. Chapter One is about alteration of two kinds of narrative point of view to present the characters'inward life including the omniscient point of view and the figural point of view. Lawrence applies the two kinds of point of view to clarify the characters'idea and feeling and search for the appropriate aesthetics, so that the reader can sense the characters'voice, emotion, appearance and personalities. The flexible and varied narrative point of view can make not only the main characters and the events relate closely but also the characters'inner world vivid and profound. This narrative artistic style gives the readers rich aesthetic appreciation.Chapter Two focuses on the interweaving of the two narrative techniques to articulate the characters'inward life. The interior monologue is a technique of representing psychic content and processes at various levels of conscious control. The technique of free indirect discourse helps to reveal the characters'thoughts and feelings in the narrative process more directly. D.H. Lawrence makes a skillful use of them to reveal the personal experience of the three generations in Marsh Farm, the readers can have the impression that the characters'consciousness is displayed vividly before them and this technique enriches the novel aesthetic perception.Chapter Three stresses the integrity of the multiple narrative devices to present the characters'inward life. Free association signifies the process of the aimless and illogical flow of the character's consciousness, and it is the best way to reveal inner feeling. The symbol is rooted in the psychological experience and the image is a rhetorical device by which a sense impression is conveyed. Lawrence combines them in his novel to depict and present the characters'complicated emotion and experiences. With the help of the narrative methods, the beauty penetrates into the novel and the readers can appreciate the colorful and exquisite description.Lawrence perfectly combines the psychoanalysis with narratology, revealing his remarkable skill in narrative techniques, especially in presenting the character's inward life. His success has a great and deep influence on world literature.