What is narrative voice?
Narrative voice is the perspective the story is told from. The writer chooses a narrative voice carefully, as it can have an important effect on the story and the reader’s response.
什么是叙述视角？
叙述视角是讲述故事的角度。作家要仔细选择叙述的人称，因为它对故事和读者的反应会产生重要影响。
When thinking about narrative voice, think about the following:
How does the reader feel about the narrator?
Does the reader trust the narrator? Do they seem reliable?
Is the voice of the narrator the author or someone else?
How does the narrator choose to show us this fictional world?
在思考叙事视角时，请思考以下问题。
读者对叙述者的感觉如何？
读者是否信任叙述者？他们看起来可靠吗？
叙述者是作者的还是其他人的？
叙述者如何选择向我们展示这个虚构的世界？
Examples of narrative voice
Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith is a first person narrative. The story is told from the perspective of a character called Charles Pooter. We get a sense of his character from the language he uses.
叙事视角的例子
乔治和韦登-格罗史密斯的《无名氏日记》是第一人称叙事。故事从一个叫查尔斯-普特的人物的角度讲述。我们从他使用的语言中感受到了他的性格。
On moving my hand above the surface of the water, I experienced the greatest fright I ever received in the whole course of my life; for imagine my horror on discovering my hand, as I thought, full of blood. My first thought was that I had ruptured an artery, and was bleeding to death, and should be discovered, later on, looking like a second Marat, as I remember seeing him in Madame Tussaud’s. My second thought was to ring the bell, but remembered there was no bell to ring. My third was, that there was nothing but the enamel paint, which had dissolved with boiling water. I stepped out of the bath, perfectly red all over, resembling the Red Indians I have seen depicted at an East-End theatre. I determined not to say a word to Carrie, but to tell Farmerson to come on Monday and paint the bath white.
Diary of a Nobody, George and Weedon Grossmith
In this extract the writer uses an omniscient narrator. This narrator is not a character, but a voice that knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in the story.
在这篇摘录中，作者使用了一个全知叙述者。这个叙述者不是一个人物，而是一个知道故事中所有人物的想法和感受的声音。
Margaret, the eldest of the four, was sixteen, and very pretty, being plump and fair, with large eyes, plenty of soft brown hair, a sweet mouth, and white hands, of which she was rather vain. Fifteen-year-old Jo was very tall, thin, and brown, and reminded one of a colt, for she never seemed to know what to do with her long limbs, which were very much in her way. She had a decided mouth, a comical nose, and sharp, gray eyes, which appeared to see everything, and were by turns fierce, funny, or thoughtful. Her long, thick hair was her one beauty, but it was usually bundled into a net, to be out of her way. Round shoulders had Jo, big hands and feet, a flyaway look to her clothes, and the uncomfortable appearance of a girl who was rapidly shooting up into a woman and didn't like it. Elizabeth, or Beth, as everyone called her, was a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl of thirteen, with ashy manner, a timid voice, and a peaceful expression which was seldom disturbed.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Analysing narrative voice in an extract
分析摘录中的叙述语气
Example
In this extract, taken from Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel A Study in Scarlet, the narrator Dr. Watson shares his impressions of Sherlock Holmes with the reader. What is the effect of the narrative voice in this extract?
例子
在这段摘录中，叙述者华生医生与读者分享了他对夏洛克-福尔摩斯的印象，这段摘录摘自阿瑟-柯南道尔的小说《猩红的研究》。在这段摘录中，叙述视角有什么作用？
As the weeks went by, my interest in him and my curiosity as to his aims in life, gradually deepened and increased. His very person and appearance were such as to strike the attention of the most casual observer. In height he was rather over six feet, and so excessively lean that he seemed to be considerably taller. His eyes were sharp and piercing, save during those intervals of torpor to which I have alluded; and his thin, hawk-like nose gave his whole expression an air of alertness and decision. His chin, too, had the prominence and squareness which mark the man of determination. His hands were invariably blotted with ink and stained with chemicals, yet he was possessed of extraordinary delicacy of touch, as I frequently had occasion to observe when I watched him manipulating his fragile philosophical instruments. The reader may set me down as a hopeless busybody, when I confess how much this man stimulated my curiosity, and how often I endeavoured to break through the reticence which he showed on all that concerned himself. Before pronouncing judgment, however, be it remembered, how objectless was my life, and how little there was to engage my attention. My health forbade me from venturing out unless the weather was exceptionally genial, and I had no friends who would call upon me and break the monotony of my daily existence. Under these circumstances, I eagerly hailed the little mystery which hung around my companion, and spent much of my time in endeavouring to unravel it.
A Study in Scarlett, Arthur Conan Doyle
Analysis
分析
The character of Sherlock Holmes is presented to the reader through the eyes of Dr. Watson and our impression of his character is controlled by his judgement.
夏洛克-福尔摩斯这个人物是通过华生医生的视角呈现给读者的，我们对他的印象是由他的判断控制的。
The choice of vocabulary shows Dr. Watson’s admiration of Holmes. His eyes are “sharp and piercing…” and he is a “…man of determination…”
词汇的选择显示了华生医生对福尔摩斯的钦佩之情。他的眼睛 "尖锐而刺眼......"，他是一个"......有决心的人......"
The choice of a bird simile to describe Holmes' appearance, “his thin, hawk-like nose gave his whole expression an air of alertness and decision…”, shows that the narrative voice is keen to focus on the character’s intelligence.
选择了一个鸟类的比喻来描述福尔摩斯的外表，"他那瘦弱的、像鹰一样的鼻子使他的整个表情充满了警觉和决断......"，表明叙述者热衷于关注这个人物的智慧。
The first person narrator, Dr. Watson, addresses us directly - “The reader may set me down as a hopeless busybody…” This makes the reader feel more involved in the story and feel a warmth for the honesty of the narrator.
第一人称叙述者华生医生直接向我们说话--"读者可以把我当成一个无可救药的忙人......" 这让读者更有参与感，对叙述者的诚实感到温暖。
Our affection for the narrator is further developed by his confession of having “…no friends who would call upon me…” We, as the readers, feel as if we are being invited into this world, sharing the thoughts and feelings of the narrator.
我们对叙述者的喜爱通过他承认"......没有朋友会来找我 "而进一步发展。作为读者，我们感到自己似乎被邀请进入这个世界，分享叙述者的想法和感受。
We share his interest in the mystery of Holmes’s character - “…I eagerly hailed the little mystery which hung around my companion…” The use of the adverb ‘eagerly’ gives Dr. Watson an enthusiasm that endears him to the reader.
我们与他一样对福尔摩斯的性格之谜感兴趣--"......我急切地呼唤着围绕在我的同伴身边的小谜团......" 副词 "急切地 "的使用使华生医生具有一种热情，使读者对他产生好感。
The narrative voice of Dr. Watson establishes the reader’s fascination in the character of Sherlock Holmes - “…my interest in him and my curiosity…” The use of the personal pronouns here deepens our connection with Watson, the reader also feels a sense of curiosity. This effect would not have been achieved with the use of the third person perspective.
华生医生的叙述语气确立了读者对夏洛克-福尔摩斯这个人物的迷恋--"......我对他的兴趣和好奇心......" 这里人称代词的使用加深了我们与华生的联系，读者也感受到了一种好奇心的存在。如果使用第三人称视角，就无法达到这种效果。
