The Study On Narrative Time Of The Goldfinch From The Perspective Of Genette’s Theory Of Narrative

The Goldfinch is one of the rewarded works by Donna Tartt.Some scholars have done researches on the narrative patterns of the author,and the most relevant research is conducted by Anna Twiddy who focuses on all of the growing up stories by the author,and divides the narration into four parts to reveal the author’s regular pattern of narrative.However,she does not make a detailed analysis of Tartt’s narrative features in The Goldfinch.Therefore,this thesis introduces Genette’s narrative time theory in the research in order to make clear the four narrative movements in the novel and analyze their effects,and further excavate the theme based on close reading and qualitative analysis.Guided by the four types of narrative time movement(Ellipsis,Pause,Summary and Scene)proposed by Genette,the thesis sorts out four corresponding narratives,that is,accident narrative,trauma narrative,parallel narrative and illumination narrative.Then,the thesis explores the effect of the four narrative time movements and finds that each of the movements is effective in that: Ellipsis leaves spaces for imagination and arouses readers’ curiosity;Pauses shows in detail the psychology and actions of the protagonist’s traumas;Summaries streamlines other people’s stories that offers reference for protagonist’s growing up;Scenes reveal,with authenticity and immediacy,the illumination of the protagonist.Finally,the thesis reveals the theme of The Goldfinch as reflected in the four narratives.To be specific,accidents disrupt Theo’s normal and natural growing up,and traumas bring forth severe emotional fossilization and unconscious repetitions of actions,which reveals his abnormal psychological reaction,while parallel happenings allow Theo to gain knowledge and help from others,all of which maps the process of the protagonist’s growing up process that ends in Theo’s enlightenment and illuminations.Generally,the four narratives frame the whole story,reflects Tartt’s exquisite narrative features,and plays an important role in thematic construction.