The Significance Of Prolepsis In Alice Munro's "Nettles,"Passion," And "The Jack Randa Hotel"

This thesis investigates Alice Munro's use of prolepsis and its narrative effects in her three representative short stories("Nettles," "Passion," and "The Jack Randa Hotel")under the guidance of the narrative theory by French narratologist Gerard Genette.The analysis focuses on the two types of prolepsis(external prolepsis and internal prolepsis)defined by Genette in his analysis of narrative order,and examines their roles in narrative discourse,concerning especially character portrayal,plot development,and theme advancement.The focal point of this thesis is a small but significant narrative phenomenon of prolepsis,so the basic approach is narratological in nature.Prolepsis is a crucial part of Genette's narrative theory on narrative order.It not only helps readers to dig into the authorial intent,but also contributes to readers',understanding of stories.Munro's various skillful and tactful uses of prolepsis contribute to creating layers of meaning and they challenge readers' proper understanding of her short fiction.Through the combination of macro analysis of the structure of these texts and micro analysis of the syntax of the same,I would argue that uses of prolepsis in Munro's fiction go beyond the conventional usage.After I have analyzed the uses of prolepsis in Alice Munro's three representative stories carefully and systematically applying Gerard Genette's narrative approach,I come to the conclusion that the various uses of prolepsis not only break the traditional linear narration,but also create an intricate sequence of events,and in doing so,raising multiple possibilities of understandings for readers,who must pay acute attention to the delicate and complex weaving of the narrative which not only portrays living characters but also conveys moral judgment.