Narrative Techniques in Julian Barnes' The Sense of an Ending

Abstract

This paper aims at exploring and analysing the narrative techniques in Julian Barnes' The Sense of an Ending (2011). Barnes employs some modern narrative tools in the novel which have contributed to the success and popularity of the novel. This paper offers an analysis of these narrative tools and how they echo the themes of the novel. The first tool is the narrator’s control of the narrative; he uses elision and omission of the event, letting the reader doubt his truthfulness as he himself becomes suspicious of what he is narrating. The second technique is the memory distortion in which the narrator divides his memory into two important phases that match the divisions of the text. The third narrative technique is the use of stream of consciousness together with the “I” person point of view. This gives the narrator an important space to travel inside the complicated corners of his memories. The last technique is the concept of time which is considered an important pillar in providing the story with the ideas of vividness and reasoning, especially with the reality of the story. This paper offers an analysis of these narrative tools and how they are connected to shape the development of the themes and structure of the novel. They are occupied to explore the importance of memories in human life and how humans should manage their time adequately, or else their life will be full of darkness and ambiguities.