Delibes' Narrative Voice: Stylistic Features & Character Voices
Delibes' Narrative Voice: A Study
The narrative voice is paramount, possibly influencing the communicative effectiveness of the novel. Delibes' voice provides the narrative with the same unique characteristics as if it were another character. The story is told from an outside perspective (3rd person) but remains closely aligned with the world represented by the narrator. The narrator is positioned with sympathy towards the characters.
Stylistic Features
The stylistic features often reflect oral language and colloquialisms.
Key Stylistic Elements:
- Abundance of links, especially coordinating conjunctions (e.g., "and," "that").
- Abundance of conjoined sentences detailing simplicity. Hyperbaton is used to break the logical order of the sentence.
- Ellipsis of verbs.
- Use of common words.
- Abundance of lists and iterations, used with many functions.
- Fillers.
- Characters designated by nicknames.
Expression of Emotion:
- Emphatic expressions of quantity.
- Affective intensification of adjectives.
- Use of diminutives.
- Popular comparatives.
- Affective linguistic traits.
- Humorous situations.
Dialogue is conveyed through the characters' point of view.
Cult Language Linguistic Features
- The narrator is fully aware of rural life and has a superb talent for using vocabulary.
- Delibes transitions the reader without warning into a colloquial style: no punctuation, presence of a chorus, use of explanatory adjectives for aesthetic purposes.
- Normal style with verbal ellipsis.
- Hyperbole that intensifies an idea or an image.
Colloquial Language in Dialogue
- Pronouns that attract attention, vocatives, imperatives.
- Straightforward style without introductory verbs.
- Formulas of courtesy become formulas of submission.
- Ethical dative expresses the interest of some partners.
Voices of the Narrator and Characters
There are two striking stylistic features:
- Overlap of the voice of the narrator and other characters.
- Absence of punctuation.