Table of Contents
Introduction
Free indirect speech is a unique way of telling stories, especially in fiction. It’s like a secret window into a character’s thoughts and feelings. Let’s explore what free indirect speech is in English and why writers love using it.
What is Free Indirect Speech?
Free indirect speech (also known as free indirect discourse, free indirect style, or, in French, discours indirect libre.) is a fancy term for a cool storytelling trick. Instead of a narrator saying what a character thinks or says, it makes you feel like you’re inside the character’s head. There’s no obvious “he said” or “she thought” – it’s like the character is speaking directly through the story.
The French narrative theorist Gerard Genette described free indirect speech as follows:
“The narrator takes on the speech of the character, or, if one prefers, the character speaks through the voice of the narrator, and the two instances then are merged.”
Gerard Genette
How to Use Free Indirect Speech
To use free indirect indirect style, imagine your character is telling the story themselves. No need for a formal reporting clause like in regular indirect speech. You just blend their words into the narrative, letting the reader experience the story from the character’s perspective.
Examples:
- Direct Speech:
- She thought, “I can’t believe he said that.”
- Indirect Speech:
- She couldn’t believe he had said that.
- Free Indirect Speech:
- She couldn’t believe he said that.
In the direct speech, we hear the character’s exact thoughts. In indirect speech, we shift it a bit to fit into the narrative. Now, in free indirect speech, it’s as if the character is speaking directly to us, without the formal reporting clause. It seamlessly becomes a part of the story, letting the reader dive into the character’s perspective.
Difference Between Free Indirect, Indirect And Direct Speech
Okay, so what’s the difference between free indirect speech, indirect speech, and direct speech? In indirect speech, there’s a clear shift – the narrator reports what someone else said. But in free indirect speech, it’s smoother; the character’s words seamlessly meld into the story without a noticeable change. It’s like a sneak peek into their mind. Direct speech is when you report exactly what someone said and enclose it within quotation marks.
Here are some examples:
Direct Speech:
- “She was walking through the store and stopped. She asked herself, ‘What should I buy for dinner?'”
Indirect Speech:
- “She was walking through the store and stopped, asking herself what she should buy for dinner.”
Free Indirect Speech:
- “She was walking through the store and stopped. What should I buy for dinner?”
In indirect speech, there’s a clear shift – the narrator steps in and reports what the person said. But in free indirect speech, the character’s words smoothly become part of the narrative. In the example, it’s like we’re inside the character’s mind as she thinks about going to the store. There’s no formal reporting; it just flows seamlessly into the story.
Here is a table illustrating this distinction:
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech | Free Indirect Speech |
|---|---|---|
| She looked at her purse and asked, “Why did I spend so much money?” | She looked at her purse wondered why she had spent so much money. | She looked at her purse. Why did I spend so much money? |
| He attended the dispute between Sara and her husband. He said, “I felt so embarrassed.” | He attended the dispute between Sara and her husband. He said that he had felt so embarrassed. | He attended the dispute between Sara and her husband. I felt so embarrassed. |
| He sat down on a rock, looked back at the village from a distance, and said, “What a beautiful and peaceful village it is!” | He sat down on a rock, looked back at the village from a distance, and exclaimed what a beautiful and peaceful village it was. | He sat down on a rock, looked back at the village from a distance. What a beautiful and peaceful village it is! |
Similarities And Differences
Now, let’s explore tsome he similarities and differences between indirect speech and free indirect speech:
Similarities:
Free indirect speech shares similarities with indirect speech in terms of shifting tenses and other references.
Differences:
In free indirect speech, a reporting clause is typically absent. Additionally, it maintains certain features of direct speech, including direct questions.
Why Do We Use Free Indirect Speech?
Writers love free indirect speech because it adds depth. It’s like giving the reader a backstage pass to a character’s thoughts. It makes the story more personal and helps us understand the characters better.
7 Benefits of Using Free Indirect Speech:
- Enhances Character Connection: By allowing the characters to speak directly through the narrative, readers feel a stronger emotional bond with them.
- Creates Immersive Experiences: The seamless integration of a character’s thoughts makes the story more immersive, pulling readers into the character’s world.
- Adds Depth to Narratives: Free indirect speech provides a nuanced understanding of characters’ inner thoughts, adding layers and complexity to the storytelling.
- Conveys Subtext and Emotion: The technique allows writers to convey subtle emotions and subtext without explicitly stating them, fostering a richer reading experience.
- Eliminates Formality for Natural Flow: Without the need for a formal reporting clause, free indirect speech allows for a more natural flow in storytelling, capturing the authenticity of the characters’ voices.
- Offers a Window into Characters’ Minds: Readers gain a backstage pass to the characters’ thoughts, providing insight into their motivations, fears, and desires.
- Encourages Reader Engagement: The personal touch of free indirect speech engages readers on a deeper level, making them active participants in the characters’ journeys.
In essence, writers cherish free indirect speech for its ability to infuse narratives with authenticity, emotion, and a heightened sense of connection between the story and its readers.
Examples From Literature
Some big-name authors use free indirect speech to make their stories come alive. Think of Jane Austen, James Joyce, or Virginia Woolf. They let characters speak through the narrative, making their stories richer and more engaging.
Here is an example from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice“:
“During dinner, Mr. Bennett scarcely spoke at all; but when the servants were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest, and therefore started a subject in which he expected him to shine, by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patroness….Mr. Collins was eloquent in her praise. The subject elevated him to more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a most important aspect he protested that he had never in his life witnessed such behavior in a person of rank–such affability and condescension, as he had himself experienced from Lady Catherine. She had been graciously pleased to approve of both the discourses, which he had already had the honor of preaching before her. She had also asked him twice to dine at Rosings, and had sent for him only the Saturday before, to make up her pool of quadrille in the evening. Lady Catherine was reckoned proud by many people he knew, but he had never seen any thing but affability in her.”
Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice“
Italics are added here to indicate where the shift to free indirect speech begins.
Conclusion
Free indirect speech is a powerful tool for writers. It’s like a secret doorway that lets readers connect with characters on a deeper level. So, next time you’re reading a novel, keep an eye out for this cool technique.
More about free indirect speech here.
FAQs
What is free indirect speech in simple terms?
Free indirect speech is when a character’s thoughts or words blend into the story without a clear reporting clause.
How do I use free indirect speech in my writing?
Imagine your character is telling the story. Let their words flow naturally into the narrative without formal reporting.
What’s the difference between free indirect and indirect speech?
In indirect speech, there’s a clear shift in reporting. Free indirect speech is smoother, seamlessly merging the character’s words into the story.
Why is free indirect speech important in storytelling?
It adds depth and makes the reader feel closer to the characters by revealing their inner thoughts. It also creates a personal connection between the reader and the characters, making the story more imersive.
References:
Randell Stevenson, Modernist Fiction: An Introduction, p.32.
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