Embedded Narrative Structure In Sophie’s Choice

William Styron(1925-2006) is claimed to be the most promising young novelist of his generation. His novels feature deep understanding of conflictions between south and north in America, race riot and ethnic strife in the world. His masterpiece Sophie’s Choice genuinely reveals national and racial problems by presenting histories of the concentration camp and experiences of people from different races. The novel is unique in its narrative strategies. This thesis will make a research on the narrative strategy of Styron’s famous novel Sophie’s Choice by employing embedded narrative structure of American narratologist David Herman.Chapter one, based on Shen Dan’s theory of first person narrative, discusses Stingo’s growing story which serves as a frame story. Stingo’s first person narrative not only reflects the growing process of young Stingo, but also presents mature Stingo’s grave reconsideration of and penetrating remarks on the past. Chapter Two explores Sophie’s choice, the contained story in the frame story, by employing the theories of morphing of narrative instances, moving of narrative windows and juxtaposition of time and space. Chapter Three analyzes the interaction of frame story and contained story, suggesting that the embedded narrative structure which makes the novel more inspiring and more dramatic, is the key to the success of the book Sophie’s choice.