Narrative techniques

The short story “A Gap of Sky” by Anna Hope is told by a third-person narrator, who follows the main character throughout the narrative.

The third-person narrator is limited, as it only has access to Ellie’s point of view. The narrator offers readers an insight into what Ellie thinks and feels. In this case, the third-person approach is unusual, as readers have the impression that they can read Ellie’s mind, through the stream-of-consciousness technique. For example:

Find the wrap, in the bra. The bra, in a tender little pile on the floor, curled around her knickers. Yessssss! Clever Ellie. Little bump just to get things started. Nice, now. Coffee. Swill out cafetière, fill it. Computer. Is. On. Fags… Student shop. (ll. 31-33)

This stream-of-consciousness technique was developed by modernist authors, and it is interesting to note that some of these authors (such as Virginia Woolf) are directly referenced in the text. 

An in-depth exploration of Ellie’s mind is also offered when readers can almost hear her swearing and panicking:...