Contents
Abstract.....................................................................................................…....IV Abstract in Chinese…………………………………………………………….........V
Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1
Chapter I Metafictional Themes .............................................................. 8
A. The problematic relationship between imagination and reality ............. 8
B. The overlapping of history and fiction ................................................... 13
Chapter II The Employment of Intertextuality ................................. 20
A. References to literary figures and works ............................................... 20
B. Biblical allusions .................................................................................... 28
C. Parody of writing styles ........................................................................... 31
Chapter III Deceptive Style of Writing ................................................ 34
A. Young Briony s identity and meditation on writing .............................. 34
B. Old Briony s disclosure of fiction writing ............................................... 41
Chapter IV Experimental Techniques ................................................. 46
A. Multiple points of view .......................................................................... 46
B. Narrative montage and flashback .......................................................... 50
C. The hybrid nature of the narrative ........................................................ 52
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………...55 Notes…………………………………………………………………………………59
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………...62 Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………… 65 Academic Achievements……………………………………………………………66