Narrative Techniques Of What Maisie Knew

The thesis aims to study Henry James’ narrative techniques applied in his novel "What Maisie Knew ". Though not James’ masterpiece," What Maisie Knew " still deserves profound investigation for its significant influence on the development of James’ narrative theories. The thesis approaches the narrative techniques of the novel from comprehensive perspectives of point of view, psychological presentation of the center of consciousness and dramatic presentation.James adopts multiple point of view in the novel, the third person limited point of view being major and the third person omniscient point of view being minor. An omniscient voice in the protagonist’s babyhood penetrates into the inner world of different people and presents more than one mind to clarify the complicated worldly affairs. With the protagonist’s growing-up, she represents and interprets the world as both "wonder-working agent" and "register of impressions". James made no more immense contribution than pointing the direct way from external action toward internal action. The center of consciousness is primarily portrayed not in accordance with the action but with the consciousness. The thesis analyzes the ways of psyche presentation from three aspects:associational magic, indirect discourse and narrative analysis. Finally, the dramatic presentation is discussed in terms of James’s theatrical metaphors and scenic method of showing. In the novel, James builds diversified spectacular model as symbols of the dramatized novel. In addition, James employs the scenic method of showing for the artistic effect of "the air of reality".Narrative techniques of the novel represent a transformation from the traditional to modern novel writing and lay a foundation for James’s later narrative theories of third limited point of view, internal action, center of consciousness and absence of the author James argues for.