LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 13:5 May 2013
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Narrative Techniques in O. Henry’s Short Stories

C. Arun, M.A., M.Phil., B.Ed.
Dr. V. Peruvalluthi, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.

Abstract

This paper, ‘The Narrative Techniques of O. Henry’s Short Stories’ brings out the various narrative techniques employed by him. O. Henry used the first person narrative and third person narrative in many of his short stories. 1. The author becomes a character narrator. 2. The narrator in all the stories is not the same person. 3. The authorial voice is heard in certain short stories. In the use of narrative techniques O. Henry is unique in many respects. First O. Henry uses ‘surprise ending’ or the ‘twist in the tail’. Virtually speaking, O. Henry wants his stories to end in such a humorous or twisted manner. He is humane and he uses subtle irony in the description and dialogues. Whatever he wants to say, he is very clear; as writer he uses dialogues, incidents and characters for the development of the plot. He also employs flash back techniques of narration. O. Henry commits himself to the use of flash back profusely. He also employs nostalgic memory, suspense, thrill and realism. 1. Flash back technique is used in the first person narrative. 2. Memories from the past are retold to another character 3. It is also used in the self explanatory style. As life is complex, O. Henry is complex. The style of the writer is complex and inimitable. He is unique and possesses individual idiosyncrasies. Though they appear very simple, the deep meanings hidden in the stories are unfathomable.

Introduction

The short story ought to be spun in words and structures in order to bring out the desired story of some value. The meaning is the first, the art of narration is the next. As the author narrates the story, the intended meaning is brought out. Meaning and narration are inter-mixed. While narrating the story, O. Henry uses various techniques. He uses the first person narrative in many of the short stories. O. Henry makes his short stories very popular and unique with “O. Henry’s writing technique”, which is manifest in the well-conceived outline, well-knit suspense, intricate plot, humorous coincidence and surprising ending. Two of the techniques are very popular; they are “Surprising ending” and “Smiles full of tears”.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

C. Arun, M.A., M. Phil., B.Ed. Ph.D. Research Scholar (Part-Time)
Bharathiar University
Coimbatore 641 046
Tamilnadu
India
arun_english80@yahoo.com

Institution Address
P.G. Assistant in English
Govt. Hr. Sec. School
Mambattu-606803
Tamilnadu
India

Dr. V. Peruvalluthi M.A., M. Phil., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English
Department of English
Government Arts College
Tiruvannamalai
Tamilnadu
India
valluthi@gmail.com
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