Omniscient Narrative in Literature

Paper Summary:

The paper looks at two works by nineteenth century authors, namely "Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin and "The Rocking Horse Winner" by D. H. Lawrence. It shows how both works, by using an omniscient narrator, give us just enough information to keep the suspense. The use of the omniscient narrator by both writers is what makes these stories work.

From the Paper:

"The narrator switches to Desiree's point of view, and we learn that she disappears into the bayou. We are still convinced she is part black, especially when Armand begins to give her clothes away to the slaves. It seems as well, that by her disappearance rather than returning home that she too believes she is the daughter of a slave. However, in a twist in plot, that surprises the reader we learn, "But above all," she wrote, "night and day, I thank the good God for having so arranged our lives that our dear Armand will never know that his mother, who adores him, belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery." The theme is typical of Chopin. The idea that woman are helpless in nineteenth society, and that they cannot change their fate. The omniscient narrator strengthens that theme."

More papers on Omniscient Narrative in Literature:

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• Analytical Essay # 65676 : "Absurdity in Literature"

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