Linguistic study of methods of representation of speech and thought in selected Modern Greek literary texts

This thesis attempts a systematic analysis of the stylistic devices used in Modern
Greek fictional writing for the representation of a character's speech and thought. It
specifically focuses on the study of those techniques in which the narrator's overtness
is kept to a minimum, i.e. Free Indirect Discourse, also known as "style indirect libre",
and Quoted Monologue.
The present study consists of four chapters. Chapter 1 discusses areas of
narrative structure of which many contradictory accounts are offered, and critics'
attempts to define modes of consciousness. It also briefly outlines the Modern Greek
tense system as a basis for the subsequent analysis of Modern Greek fictional devices.
Chapters 2, 3 and 4 are the analytical chapters where speech and thought
presentation techniques, ranging from the more diegetic to the more mimetic, are
investigated. In the analysis speech and thought presentation modes are treated
separately not only for reasons of clarity but because their effects are different. My
examples are taken from selected nineteenth and twentieth century Modern Greek
literary texts. The passages are given in the original Greek but a translation in English
is also included.
Chapter 2 deals with speech. All five speech categories (Le. Narrative Report of
Speech Acts, Indirect Speech, Free Indirect Speech, Direct Speech and Free Direct
Speech) are examined but special emphasis is placed on the analysis of Free Indirect
Speech and on the identification of its markers in first and third-person narratives.
Chapter 3 specifically concentrates on the analysis of Free Indirect Thought in
first and third-person narratives and on the isolation of its indices. Its effects are also
examined.
Chapter 4 studies the technique of Quoted Monologue in first and third-person
narratives. It also includes a discussion of its effects.
My conclusion summarizes the results of the research and underlines the
necessity for further investigation in this area.