time in fiction

[JULIUS RAPER]

Good point, Thomas.  Syntax variations have the effect of metrical montage
in film, the management of long and short shots in a deliberate fashion. 
Since language is so close to us, like the air we are breathing, I find it
easier to "see" these effects over there, objectified on the screen.
					JRR


On Wed, 25 Jun 1997, Thomas Vieth wrote:

> It seems to me that a point has not been considered in this thread, yet. 
> If it has, bear with me. I'm talking about certain syntactical features. 
> 
> The use of ellipses and very short sentences render a certain 
> breathlessness to the text, i.e. they "shrink" the narrative time. On 
> the other hand, long, winding sentences, elaborate allusions, and the 
> like "expand" the narrative time. 
> 
> The same is true for paragraphs. Has anyone noticed that a series of 
> shorter paragraphs render a much speedier reading than paragraphs that 
> go, say, over more than one page?
> 
> A high level author such as TRP can use these features with remarkable 
> skil, alternating their presence and, at an appropriate spot, could turn 
> them in the systole and diastole of a beating heart. (Something that may 
> happen when the heart is thematically involved. This, of course, is a 
> fictional example, as I cannot think of any scene in any book where this 
> was effectively practiced.)
> 
> Thomas Vieth
> Down with Triolahidi
> Long live Hollerodullyo
> 
> 
> 
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