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Analysis of how Dancing flame models the literary style of Narration
The assignment asked that the story use descriptive techniques to tell about a tale of the grotesque, modeled after the idea that Poe presented of an unreliable narrator. A tale of the grotesque does not demand that the writing describe gore. Grotesque rather is a genre of writing that leaves the reader unsettled. Though the unreliable narrator in this paper does not commit a horrible crime, or speak in a stutter the narrator is still unreliable. The whole of the piece is told through the perspective of a third person. This third person perspective is carried through till the end of the piece where it is revealed that the subject woman, who was being watched by the narrator, is in fact the narrator. The reader then realizes the unreliability of the narrator. This is just as effective as having the audience know about the unreliability of the narrator all the way through the reading of the paper. This discovery at the end in fact strengthens the feeling of uneasiness and grotesque as the reader realized more and more about the story that they had not realized earlier.
The story is told for its own sake, and thus achieves the goal of narration. It is a paper that exists to be read for entertainment, and simply shares an idea. The story is interesting and captures the interest of the audience. Building plot, building details and begging the listener or reader to continue paying attention to the story through questioning the events elements create interest in the story. Interest is presented through word choice. The opening sentence does not grab the reader, but rather invites the reader to be interested in what might be said next. “It was strange how it all happened really.” The sentence being written as in the way people speak provides the basis for a successful narrative. It also has the reader asking, “What was strange?” and so the reader continues now that he is interested in answering this question. The word “Strange” is repeated throughout the work, to reinforce this initial statement made by the narrator. “strange dancing shadows”, “the strangest of shadows”, “the girl’s strange beauty” These statements, though in separate sentences reinforce one another and what has already been stated because they follow the narrative of the story, and repeat the idea that is going to be explored; the idea that this incident was strange in the way that it occurred.
The idea of the narrator being unreliable presents itself subtly in the way in which she describes certain observations. She also states that she is unsure of her observations. The audience however is still interested in knowing more, and knowing as much as they can, so they continue to read, they continue to follow this story that exists for its own sake.
The narrator questions herself as to what she has seen, continually, “Had time slowed?” “Was there a wind just then?” the questions also demonstrate her awe “Was there a wind capturing her image- floating it above the floor?” The questions strengthen the idea of the incident being strange. The questions presented here also show repetition of elements that exist in the narrator’s mind. The wind, and the questioning of its existence, and the narrator’s uncertainty about it are reinforced through the repetition of the words in the questions. The questions exist for their own sake, and for the sake of the story.
The story is centered on this girl and also the candle flame. The story always returns to these two elements, creating a touchstone for the reader to think of, and to relate all occurrences back to. This touchstone reinforces the fact that this is a narrative moment. This story is about a single incident, and a single moment in time that has been described in every last detail. The way in which the story has been structured in this narrative moment ensures that the reader experiences an in-depth comprehension and understanding of the events.
The narrative moment presented follows a clear chronology. The opening line lets the reader know that the events about to be presented to them occurred in the past. The story then unfolds as it did in that past moment, from the night to morning after the events took place. The time frame is made clear to the reader.
This story exists for its own sake and can be enjoyed by many audiences for many different reasons, and is a successful example of narration.
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