James Joyce's short story "Eveline" is a visceral piece of writing. When we read it, it can feel like we’re inside her head.
This is impressive, especially when you consider the viewpoint of the story. Is it Eveline telling the story or is it an omniscient narrator? It seems to be an omniscient narrator, as that all-knowing power is what allows the narrator unlimited access to her "interior monologue" (i.e., her psyche and emotions).
There is a technical term for this kind of writing, and it's free indirect speech. You might also know it as free indirect discourse, free indirect style, or, if you're French, discours indirect libre. Basically, this technique allows the narrator to dip in and out of the main character's thoughts and feelings whenever it wants.
There are many striking examples of this shift. One that we find particularly compelling happens near the end of the story.
Eveline is about to leave her window and meet Frank. Keep in mind, Joyce, has two duties: he must tell us what...
(The entire section contains 4 answers and 948 words.)
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