The narrative techniques of Jane Austen

Abstract

My understanding of Jane Austen’s narrative technique has been gained partly through study and meditation on and discussion of her six major novels and the unfinished Sanditon, partly through the analytic study of novels in general , and partly through current comments, reviews and criticism of Jane Austen’s novels. This thesis sets out to investigate, identify, and illustrate some leading features of Jane Austen’s narrative technique, her characteristic choice of vocabulary, her comments, her ironic tone, her method of creating conversation and the narrative shape of the novels, Its emphasis, however, is placed on the suggestive power of her narrative, and her finely controlled use of language which catches the reader’s attention while at the same time bringing to him important messages that the author wishes to convey.