Narrative technique and discussion

When you analyse this short story it is relevant to focus on the narrative technique.  In other words, you should highlight by whom and how the story is told; i.e. what type of narrator the author uses in the story and what it does to the story. Furthermore, in this short story it is interesting to consider the use of present tense throughout the short story. We have highlighted some important things to note when you consider the narrative technique in this short story.

1st person narrative

The story is told by a 1st person narrator. Overall, this creates a closer bond between the narrator and the reader. Normally this narrative technique is used, so the reader get insight in the narrator’s thoughts and emotions, however, in this short story we are kept at bay. We are not told how the narrator feels about the things that happen or the things other people say:

“My friends, as they prepare for another Saturday night, say: ‘Do you really think it’s a good idea to try to keep the relationship going while he’s away (…) ‘Doesn’t he ever invite you up there to parties and stuff? Maybe we could all go one weekend. Have you met his friends? Are they cute?” (ll. 33-37</p">

As the narrator moves on from this description to a whole other situation in time, we are not enlightened in the narrator’s personal feelings or opinions about how the friends act towards her.

The use of 1st person narrator in this short story is relatively objecti...