The following term paper examines the text "Polarities" of Margaret Atwood using different types of focalization according to Gérard Genette and Mieke Bal. The work is based on Genette and Bal's theories, since Genette originally developed and coined the term focalisation and Bal revised and changed it to a large extent.
The first part of this thesis deals with the explanation of the three different focalization types according to Genette and the theory of Mieke Bal. The second part gives examples of text elements from the short story to show the different types of focalization according to Genette and Bal. In the third and last part a conclusion is presented, in which it is summarized, what the focalization types do with the reader and which advantages and disadvantages arise with the definition of the focalization types.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Defining Focalization
- Gérard Genette's Theory
- Mieke Bal's Theory
- Difference between Genette and Bal
- Focalization in `Polarities`
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper examines the short story "Polarities" by Margaret Atwood, focusing on the various types of focalization as defined by Gérard Genette and Mieke Bal. The analysis is based on the theories of these two scholars, as Genette initially developed the concept of focalization, while Bal significantly revised and expanded it. The paper explores different types of focalization, their characteristics, and their impact on the reader's experience.
- Focalization as a literary technique in "Polarities"
- Comparison and contrast of Genette and Bal's theories on focalization
- The relationship between focalization and reader engagement
- The impact of focalization on the interpretation of narrative elements
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction provides an overview of the paper's focus, highlighting the importance of focalization in literary analysis and introducing the theories of Genette and Bal. It also outlines the structure of the paper, which includes a detailed explanation of focalization types, examples from the short story, and a concluding section.
The second chapter delves into the definition of focalization, tracing its origins to Genette's work. It examines Genette's classification of focalization into three forms: external, internal, and zero focalization, exploring their characteristics and specific variations.
The third chapter focuses on Bal's theory of focalization, which builds upon Genette's work. It introduces Bal's model of text levels and its implications for understanding narrative perspectives. It also examines Bal's concept of focalizing and focalized figures and contrasts her approach with Genette's.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Focalization, narrative theory, Gérard Genette, Mieke Bal, Margaret Atwood, "Polarities", external focalization, internal focalization, zero focalization, text levels, focalizing figure, focalized figure, reader engagement, narrative perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is focalization in narrative theory?
Focalization refers to the perspective through which a story is told, distinguishing between who "sees" (the focalizer) and who "speaks" (the narrator).
How do Gérard Genette and Mieke Bal differ on focalization?
Genette coined the term and focused on external, internal, and zero focalization, while Bal revised the theory to emphasize text levels and the relationship between focalizing and focalized figures.
How is focalization applied in Margaret Atwood's "Polarities"?
The paper analyzes specific text elements to show how Atwood uses different focalization types to shape the reader's engagement and interpretation of characters.
What is "internal focalization"?
It occurs when the narrative perspective is restricted to the consciousness of a specific character, allowing the reader access to their thoughts and feelings.
What are the effects of focalization on the reader?
Focalization can create empathy, distance, or ambiguity, influencing how the reader perceives the truth of the narrative and the reliability of the characters.
- Citar trabajo
- Anonym (Autor), 2019, The effect of focalization on the reader in Margaret Atwood`s "Polarities", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1333710
