Abstract:Alice Munro is an outstanding contemporary short story writer, and Runaway is one of her masterpieces. This story takes place in a small town, and takes an insignificant person as the main character; the plot is also dull and capricious. However behind her calm narration, she often discusses such serious topics as love, sex and death, which arouses readers’ deep reflection. Munro uses the characteristic narrative technique to describe this story that a girl Carla gets away from her family and husband. There are four parts to explore Munro's narrative skills. The first part of this article mainly introduces Munro's life and works. The second part presents the female rich inner world to the readers with the multi-perspective narration: the protagonist's confusion to real life, the excitement of the first escape, the struggle in the escape and the reflection after the return. The third part analyzes the narrative rhythm of Runaway; the plots are closely linked in the narrative space and narrative structure. The fourth part analyzes the main characters in Runaway. The using of Fromm's theory, Wang Xiaowei elaborates Carla's inner changes and other characters in Runaway.

Key words: Alice Munro; Runaway; narrative techniques 

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Introduction-1

I.-Multi-Perspective Narration in Runaway-3

A.-Omniscient Narration-3

B.-Third-Person Fixed Internal Narration-5

C.-First-Person Reminiscent Narration-6

II.-The Changing Narrative Rhythms in Runaway-7

A.-Narrative Space-7

B.-Narrative Structure-8

III.-The Exploration of Characterization in Runaway-11

A.-Psychological Description of Characters-11

B.-The Interlaced Narrative Procession-12

Conclusion-15

Bibliography-17

Acknowledgements-19