Abstract

The research of narration not only has the time dimension, but also the space dimension. But in the former study, scholars always ignore the latter. Spatial narrative, in semantics, is the threads and orders. It has the functions to promote the plots, create characters and construct meanings. We can see the spatial narrative structure in Dickens’ s Great Expectations. This essay will introduce the physical space and mental space in Great Expectations to help readers understand its structure and theme better. 

Key words: spatial narrative, physical space, mental space

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Backgrounds-1

1.1.1 The Author of Great Expectations, Charles Dickens-1

 1.1.2 Summary of Great Expectations -1

1.2 Brief Introduction of the Spatial Narrative-1

1.3 Researches both at Home and Abroad-2

2. The Physical Space in Great Expectations-3

2.1 The Formation of the Physical Space-3

2.2 The Manifestation Mode in Describing the Physical Space-4

2.3 The Effects of the Physical Space-4

3. The Mental Space in Great Expectations-6

3.1 An Introduction of the Third Space-6

3.2 The Formation of the Mental Space-6

3.3 The Effects of the Mental Space-7

  3.3.1 Sectioning Every Plot-7

  3.3.2 Indicating ending -7

   3.3.3 Removing suspense-7

4. The Relations between These Spaces And Their Effects-8

4.1 The Relations between These Spaces-8

4.2 The Effects of These Spaces-8

5. Conclusion-10

References-11