'Two basic kinds of narration exist - the omniscient and the limited' Tomashevsky)

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'Two basic kinds of narration exist - the omniscient and the limited' Tomashevsky). Consider the implications of this distinction in your chosen texts.

It has been said that 'two basic kinds of narration exist - the omniscient and the limited' (Tomashevsky). In this essay I shall consider the implications of this distinction in Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen and Equiano's Travels. Where Omniscient narration is used, the narrator has a 'godlike' perspective giving the reader an insight into the thoughts and feelings of the characters and can describe to the reader events taking place in multiple locations at the same time offering a variety of point of views simultaneously. Limited narration offers only the viewpoint of a single character, from whose perspective the story will be told. However, the reader may be able to deduce further information about events from what is shown, although this may be the reader's interpretation rather than what the author intended. It is worth remembering however, that Tomashevsky s statement reduces a much broader of possible narrative forms to the two basic types. Omniscient powers may be focused upon one character, as is seen in limited omniscience, and dialogue can be used in limited narration to show the views of a range of characters, depending on whether it is written in the first person - 'I', 'me', 'us' or the third person - 'he', she', 'they.

Austen uses omniscient narration in Northanger Abbey in order to fully develop her characters. In the novel, she focuses mainly on the key character, Catherine Morland. In doing this, she is able to fully develop the character and provide a detailed description of both the physical features - 'she began to curl her hair', 'her complexion improved, her features were softened by plumpness and colour, her eyes gained more animation and her figure more consequence'. And also the personality of the character 'her heart was affectionate, her disposition cheerful and open', early in the novel, so the reader is aware from the outset what to expect from the characters personality. However while the novel focuses mainly on Catherine's experiences, Austen also provides the reader with information on Catherine's family which serves to provide further information about Catherine, and uses dialogue both as a means of conveying information and providing an insight into other main characters. Dialogue is used where it is needed, and it is often followed by a comment or brief piece of information which allows the reader greater understanding of events and characters. Omniscient narration allows the story to develop at a faster pace as it negates the need for lengthy dialogues. As the narrator states in the novel, following a short passage on Mrs Thorpe:
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'This brief account of the family is intended to supersede the necessity of a long and minute detail from Mrs Thorpe herself, of her past adventures and sufferings, which might otherwise be expected to occupy the three or four following chapters .... And conversations which had passed twenty years before be minutely repeated.'

In telling the story this way the narrator retains the readers' interest more easily, as information is readily available and avoids cluttering the novel with long drawn-out passages of dialogue in order to show the reader what could have been stated in a few ...

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