The following term paper deals with the short story "Butterflies" written by Ian McEwan, which was published in 1975. In the course of this paper, a closer look will be taken, if there is an unreliable narrator in the short story and which function he has. Within the context of clarifying the terms that are used in this paper, a definition of the narrator, especially the unreliable narrator, will be given.
Afterwards a short summary of the short story follows. The following analysis depicts examples of unreliable narration in the short story and tries to respond to the opening question. Finally, the conclusion replies to the main question of the term paper.
Unreliable narration is often used in literature, film or theatre but we can also find it in real life. It can be found everywhere. Authors use it to manipulate others and to transmit feelings and thoughts.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical background
2.1 Unreliable narration
2.2 Gerald Genette’s influence on unreliable narration
3. Analysis
3.1 What function has the unreliable narrator in the short story butterflies?
3.2 Why does the author use an unreliable narrator in his short story?
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the usage and function of an unreliable narrator in Ian McEwan's short story Butterflies. It explores how the narrator's distorted perspective and psychological instability serve to manipulate the reader and provide insight into his morbid state of mind.
- Narratological framework based on Gérard Genette
- Definition and identification of unreliable narration
- Psychological analysis of the protagonist
- The intersection of narrative technique and morality
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 What function has the unreliable narrator in the short story butterflies?
In the short story butterflies an unreliable narrator presents the plot. Proof for this can be found right at the beginning of the short story. “I was on the bridge. I saw her running by the canal. [...] I didn’t see her fall in.“ (Mc Ewan, p.72) Through comparing this extract with the proceeding summary it becomes apparent that the narrator is unreliable. The man has seen that Jane fell down. “When she heard my footsteps behind her she turned round and gave a kind of yelp. She started to run, too and immediately lost her footing.” (Mc Ewan, p.87) This quotation shows that the man is behind Jane and not on the bridge like he said. Furthermore, it confirms that he has noticed that Jane had fallen down. According to this example one can conclude that the narrator is unreliable. On the basis of that Mc Ewan shows up that the narrator says something different than really happened.
In relation to this, there is another example in the text. “I even made a statement. I told them I was standing on the bridge and that I saw her from the bridge, running along the canal” (Mc Ewan, p.74). This representation is also wrong, because he was in the tunnel and forced Jane. This underlines the unreliable narration in the text because all those statements refer to the one event.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the research thesis regarding the existence and function of an unreliable narrator in Ian McEwan's Butterflies.
2. Theoretical background: Explains key narratological concepts by Gérard Genette and defines the criteria for identifying an unreliable narrator.
3. Analysis: Demonstrates the unreliability of the narrator through specific textual examples and interprets the psychological motivations behind his behavior.
4. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that the story uses an unreliable, homodiegetic narrator to portray morbid themes and psychological complexity.
5. Bibliography: Lists the academic literature and primary source referenced in the paper.
Keywords
Unreliable narration, Ian McEwan, Butterflies, Literary Studies, Gérard Genette, Homodiegetic narrator, Psychological issues, First-person perspective, Narrative technique, Fiction analysis, Morbidity, Reader manipulation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the narrative technique of 'unreliable narration' as portrayed in Ian McEwan's short story Butterflies, analyzing how it impacts the reader's understanding of the plot and the narrator's true character.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The central themes include narratological theory, the psychological profile of an isolated individual, and the use of deception within literary narrative structure.
What is the primary research question?
The research question asks whether there is an unreliable narrator present in Butterflies and what specific function this narrative choice serves throughout the story.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The work employs a qualitative literary analysis based on the narratological framework provided by Gérard Genette and definitions of unreliability by scholars like Wayne C. Booth and Ansgar Nünning.
What topics are discussed in the main section?
The main section investigates specific quotations from the text to identify discrepancies in the narrator’s story and explores the connection between his mental health and his actions.
Which keywords characterize the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as unreliable narrator, homodiegetic narration, literary analysis, and Ian McEwan.
How does the narrator attempt to justify his actions to the reader?
The narrator uses unreliability to repress his actions, often by distorting his presence during the events to distance himself from the murder of Jane, while also attempting to gain the reader's empathy through his own history.
Does the author suggest that the narrator's upbringing influenced his behavior?
Yes, the author discusses the narrator's obsession with his mother and his lack of a male role model, suggesting that his psychological instability is deeply rooted in his mother's isolated behavioral patterns.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2018, Unreliable Narration in Ian McEwan's "Butterflies". An Analysis, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1375333
