“Coppard wrote a handful of the best short stories of the English language and […] contributed significantly to the movement of the short story from being a truncated novel to acquiring its own form”. (Frank Edmund Smith)
Alfred Edgar Coppard’s short stories surely have proven worth a closer examination, and that is why I undertake to delve into one his late works, <Some Talk of Alexander>, written in 1937.
The focus of my work is on the story’s perception, namely on its focalization in general and on the means used to present the main character the way the reader may perceive him.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: defining and categorizing ‘point of view’
2. The importance of ‘point of view’ in literary analysis
3. Alfred Edgar Coppard’s short story
4. Analysis of Some Talk of Alexander
4.1. Focalization
4.2. Directing the reader’s sympathy: an onomastic analysis
4.3. The use of irony
5. Synopsis
6. References
Objectives and Core Topics
This academic paper examines the narrative technique of focalization in Alfred Edgar Coppard's 1937 short story "Some Talk of Alexander." The central research objective is to demonstrate how the manipulation of point of view, naming conventions, and ironic framing influences the reader's perception of the protagonist and prevents him from being taken seriously.
- The distinction between narration and focalization in literary theory.
- The use of internal focalization through the protagonist's subjectivity.
- Onomastic analysis as a tool for directing reader sympathy.
- The function of irony and pathos in character subversion.
- The portrayal of the protagonist's internal versus external reality.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2. Directing the reader’s sympathy: an onomastic analysis
„He would have to get clothes, clothes, clothes! How otherwise could he approach his home, those bachelor rooms at the abode of the spinster Angela Jolly, a name so ironical that it was almost nefarious? She was a perfect steeple of propriety.“ This passage taken from Some Talk of Alexander (Coppard: 185, lines 26-29) shows that the author and the narrator of the text are well aware of telling names (even though in this case the character indicated by the name is inverted) and of their importance as a means of directing the reader’s sympathy towards the story’s characters (Sympathielenkung). Also Rimmon-Kenan (1991: 83) states that shifts in naming may reveal differences and changes of attitude towards the characters of a story. Therefore, I made the effort of an onomastic analysis of the short story with regard to its references to its main character, Alexander. The statistical results of this analysis are listed in the following table, showing the number of times the different references to the main character are used in different parts of the text.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: defining and categorizing ‘point of view’: This chapter provides the theoretical foundation by clarifying the ambiguous term 'point of view' and distinguishing between narration and focalization.
2. The importance of ‘point of view’ in literary analysis: This section discusses why focalization is essential in literature, as it subtly influences reader perception and sympathy towards characters.
3. Alfred Edgar Coppard’s short story: This chapter introduces the chosen text, "Some Talk of Alexander," and positions it within the context of Coppard's late works and his stylistic focus on psychological struggle.
4. Analysis of Some Talk of Alexander: This primary analytical section explores the narrative situation, focalization techniques, character naming patterns, and the strategic use of irony.
5. Synopsis: The final chapter synthesizes the analytical findings, confirming that Coppard effectively uses focalization to shape the reader's ironic detachment from the protagonist.
6. References: This section lists the primary and secondary literature consulted for the analysis.
Keywords
Focalization, Point of View, Alfred Edgar Coppard, Some Talk of Alexander, Literary Analysis, Onomastic Analysis, Narratology, Irony, Pathos, Reader Reception, Characterization, Narrative Theory, Subjectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the literary concept of 'point of view' and its specific application, 'focalization', within the short story "Some Talk of Alexander" by A.E. Coppard.
What are the central themes discussed in the analysis?
The central themes include narrative structure, the psychological state of the protagonist, the use of irony to create pathos, and the manipulation of reader sympathy through naming.
What is the main objective of the research?
The objective is to analyze how Coppard uses focalization and other linguistic tools to make the protagonist appear comically pathetic to the reader.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses narratological analysis, specifically drawing on theories from Genette, Bal, and Chatman, combined with an onomastic analysis (study of names).
What content is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main part analyzes the narrative situation, the internal focalization of the protagonist, how character names are used to influence reader opinion, and the function of irony in the story.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include focalization, narratology, onomastic analysis, irony, reader reception, and literary analysis.
How does the naming of the protagonist affect the reader?
The analysis shows that the variation between "Alexander," "Mr. Cole," and other references is not arbitrary; it serves to mock the character and prevent the reader from taking his self-pity seriously.
What role does the 'internal focalization' play in the story?
Internal focalization allows the reader to experience Alexander's subjective reality, which the author subsequently undermines through irony and contradictions known to the reader but not the character.
- Quote paper
- Volker Lorenz (Author), 2005, Point of view in Alfred Edgar Coppard’s "Some Talk of Alexander", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/93553
