Practice to increase understanding (1)

Analyse the fragments below using Genette’s and Booth’s interpretation models, making
comments (where possible) on:
a) the temporal relations between the narrative and the story (order, duration, frequency);
b) the modalities of narrative representation (distance, narrative perspective);
c) the way in which the narrative reflects the narrating process (time of the narrating, narrative
levels, narrator type);
d) the instances involved in the process of literary communication.

a) Wandering thus about, I knew not whither, I passed by an apothecary's shop in Leadenhall
Street, when I saw lie on a stool just before the counter a little bundle wrapped in a white cloth;
beyond it stood a maid-servant with her back to it, looking towards the top of the shop, where the
apothecary's apprentice, as I suppose, was standing upon the counter, with his back also to the
door, and a candle in his hand, looking and reaching up to the upper shelf for something he
wanted, so that both were engaged mighty earnestly, and nobody else in the shop.
This was the bait; and the devil, who I said laid the snare, as readily prompted me as if he
had spoke, for I remember, and shall never forget it, 'twas like a voice spoken to me over my
shoulder, 'Take the bundle; be quick; do it this moment.' It was no sooner said but I stepped into
the shop, and with my back to the wench, as if I had stood up for a cart that was going by, I put my
hand behind me and took the bundle, and went off with it, the maid or the fellow not perceiving
me, or any one else.
It is impossible to express the horror of my soul al the while I did it. When I went away I
had no heart to run, or scarce to mend my pace. I crossed the street indeed, and went down the
first turning I came to, and I think it was a street that went through into Fenchurch Street. From
thence I crossed and turned through so many ways an turnings, that I could never tell which way it
was, not where I went; for I felt not the ground I stepped on, and the farther I was out of danger,
the faster I went, till, tired and out of breath, I was forced to sit down on a little bench at a door,
and then I began to recover, and found I was got into Thames Street, near Billingsgate. I rested
me a little and went on; my blood was all in a fire; my heart beat as if I was in a sudden fright. In
short, I was under such a surprise that I still knew not wither I was going, or what to do.
After I had tired myself thus with walking a long way about, and so eagerly, I began to
consider and make home to my lodging, where I came about nine o'clock at night.
When the bundle was made up for, or on what occasion laid where I found it, I knew not,
but when I came to open it I found there was a suit of childbed-linen in it, very good and almost
new, the lace very fine; there was a silver porringer of a pint, a small silver mug and six spoons,
with some other linen, a good smock, and three silk handkerchiefs, and in the mug, wrapped up in
a paper, 18s. 6d. in money. (Daniel Defoe, Moll Flanders, 1994: 209-211)

b) This Academy is not an entire single Building, but a Continuation of several Houses on both
Sides of a Street; which growing waste, was purchased and applyed to that Use.
I was received very kindly by the Warden, and went for many Days to the Academy. Every
Room hath in it one or more Projectors; and I believe I could not be in fewer than five Hundred
Rooms.
The first Man I saw was of a meager Aspect, with sooty Hands and Face, his Hair and Beard
long, ragged and singed in several Places. His Cloathes, Shirt, and Skin were all of the same Colour.
He had been Eight Years upon a Project for extracting Sun-Beams out of Cucumbers, which were
to be put into Vials hermetically sealed, and let out to warm the Air in raw inclement Summers. He
told me he did not doubt in Eight Years more he should be able to supply the Governors Gardens
with Sun-shine at a reasonable Rate; but he complained that his stock was low, and intreated me
to give him something as an Encouragement to Ingenuity, especially since this had been a very
dear Season for Cucumbers. I made him a small Present, for my Lord had furnished me with
Money on Purpose, because he knew their Practice of begging from all who go to see them.
I went into another Chamber, but was ready to hasten back, being almost overcome with a
horrible Stink. My Conductor pressed me forward, conjuring me in a Whisper to give no Offence,
which would be highly resented; and therefore I durst not so much as stop my Nose. The Projector
of this Cell was the most ancient Student of the Academy. His Face and Beard were of a pale
Yellow; his Hands and Clothes daubed over with Filth. When I was presented to him, he gave me a
close Embrace (a Compliment I could well have excused.) His Employment from his first coming
into the Academy, was an Operation to reduce human Excrement to its original Food, by
separating the several Parts, removing the Tincture which it receives from the Gall, making the
Odour exhale, and scumming off the Saliva. He had a weekly Allowance from the Society, of a
Vessel filled with human Ordure about the Bigness of a Bristol Barrel.
I saw another at work to calcine Ice into Gunpowder; who likewise shewed me a Treatise
he had written concerning the Malleability of Fire, which he intended to publish.
There was a most ingenious Architect who had contrived a new Method for building
Houses, by beginning at the Roof, and working downwards to the Foundation; which he justified
to me by the like Practice of those two prudent Insects, the Bee and the Spider.
There was a Man born blind, who had several Apprentices in his own Condition: Their
Employment was to mix Colours for Painters, which their Master taught them to distinguish by
feeling and smelling. It was indeed my Misfortune to find them at that Time not very perfect in
their Lessons; and the Professor himself happened to be generally mistaken: This Artist is much
encouraged and esteemed by the whole Fraternity.
In another Apartment I was highly pleased with a Projector, who had found a Device of
plowing the Ground with Hogs, to save the Charges of Plows, Cattle, and Labour. The Method in
this: In an Acre of Ground you bury at six Inches Distance, and eight deep, a Quantity of Acorns,
Dates, Chestnuts, and other Maste or Vegetables whereof these Animals are fondest; then you
drive six Hundred or more of them into the Field, where in a few Days they will root up the whole
Ground in search of their Food, and make it fit for sowing, at the same time manuring it with their
Dung. It is true, upon Experiment they found the Charge and Trouble very great, and they had little
or no Crop. However, it is not doubted that this Invention may be capable of great Improvement.
I went into another Room, where the Walls and Ceiling were all hung round with Cobwebs,
except a narrow passage for the Artist to go in and out. At my Entrance he called aloud to me not
to disturb his Webs. He lamented the fatal Mistake the World had been so long in of using Silk-
Worms, while we had such plenty of domestick Insects, who infinitely excelled the Former,
because they understood how to weave as well as spin. And he proposed farther, that by
employing Spiders, the Charge of dying Silks should be wholly saved; whereof I was fully convinced
when he shewed me a vast Number of Flies most beautifully coloured, wherewith he fed his
Spiders; assuring us, that the Webs would take a Tincture from them; and as he had them of all
Hues, he hoped to fit every Body's Fancy, as soon as he could find proper Food for the Flies, of
certain Gums, Oyls, and other glutinous Matter to give a Strength and Consistence to the Threads.
There was an Astronomer who had undertaken to place a Sun-Dial upon the great
Weather-Cock on the Town-House, by adjusting the annual and diurnal Motions of the Earth and
Sun, so as to answer and coincide with all accidental Turnings of the Wind.
I was complaining of a small fit of the Cholick; upon which my Conductor led me into a
Room, where a great Physician resided, who was famous for curing that Disease by contrary
Operations from the same Instrument. He had a large Pair of Bellows with a long slender Muzzle of
Ivory. This he conveyed eight Inches up the Anus, and drawing in the Wind, he affirmed he could
make the Guts as lank as a dried Bladder. But when the Disease was more stubborn and violent,
he let in the Muzzle while the Bellows were full of Wind, which he discharged into the Body of the
Patient, then withdrew the Instrument to replenish it, clapping his Thumb strongly against the
Orifice of the Fundament; and this being repeated three or four Times, the adventitious Wind
would rush out, bringing the noxious along with it (like Water put into a Pump), and the Patient
recover. I saw him try both Experiments upon a Dog, but could not discern any Effect from the
former. After the latter, the Animal was ready to burst, and made so violent a Discharge, as was
very offensive to me and my Companions. The Dog died on the Spot, and we left the Doctor
endeavouring to recover him by the same Operation.
I visited many other Apartments, but shall not trouble my Reader with all the Curiosities I
observed, being studious of Brevity. (Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Travels, 1998: 171-175)

c) Mr. Western had an estate in this parish; and as his house stood at little greater distance from
this church than from his own, he very often came to Divine Service here; and both he and the
charming Sophia happened to be present at this time.
Sophia was much pleased with the beauty of the girl, whom she pitied for her simplicity in
having dressed herself in that manner, as she saw the envy which it had occasioned among her
equals. She no sooner came home than she sent for the gamekeeper, and ordered him to bring his
daughter to her; saying she would provide for her in the family, and might possibly place the girl
about her own person, when her own maid, who was now going away, had left her.
Poor Seagrim was thunderstruck at this; for he was no stranger to the fault in the shape of
his daughter. He answered, in a stammering voice, "That he was afraid Molly would be too
awkward to wait on her ladyship, as she had never been at service." "No matter for that," says
Sophia; "she will soon improve. I am pleased with the girl, and am resolved to try her."
Black George now repaired to his wife, on whose prudent counsel he depended to extricate
him out of this dilemma; but when he came thither he found his house in some confusion. So
great envy had this sack occasioned, that when Mr. Allworthy and the other gentry were gone
from church, the rage, which had hitherto been confined, burst into an uproar; and, having vented
itself at first in opprobrious words, laughs, hisses, and gestures, betook itself at last to certain
missile weapons; which, though from their plastic nature they threatened neither the loss of life or
of limb, were however sufficiently dreadful to a well-dressed lady. Molly had too much spirit to
bear this treatment tamely. Having therefore- but hold, as we are diffident of our own abilities, let
us here invite a superior power to our assistance.
Ye Muses, then, whoever ye are, who love to sing battles, and principally thou who whilom
didst recount the slaughter in those fields where Hudibras and Trulla fought, if thou wert not
starved with thy friend Butler, assist me on this great occasion. All things are not in the power of
all.
As a vast herd of cows in a rich farmer's yard, if, while they are milked, they hear their
calves at a distance, lamenting the robbery which is then committing, roar and bellow; so roared
forth the Somersetshire mob an hallaloo, made up of almost as many squalls, screams, and other
different sounds as there were persons, or indeed passions among them: some were inspired by
rage, others alarmed by fear, and others had nothing in their heads but the love of fun; but chiefly
Envy, the sister of Satan, and his constant companion, rushed among the crowd, and blew up the
fury of the women; who no sooner came up to Molly than they pelted her with dirt and rubbish.
Molly, having endeavoured in vain to make a handsome retreat, faced about; and laying
hold of ragged Bess, who advanced in the front of the enemy, she at one blow felled her to the
ground. The whole army of the enemy (though near a hundred in number), seeing the fate of their
general, gave back many paces, and retired behind a new-dug grave; for the churchyard was the
field of battle, where there was to be a funeral that very evening. Molly pursued her victory, and
catching up a skull which lay on the side of the grave, discharged it with such fury, that having hit a
taylor on the head, the two skulls sent equally forth a hollow sound at their meeting, and the
taylor took presently measure of his length on the ground, where the skulls lay side by side, and it
was doubtful which was the more valuable of the two. Molly then taking a thigh-bone in her hand,
fell in among the flying ranks, and dealing her blows with great liberality on either side, overthrew
the carcass of many a mighty heroe and heroine.
Recount, O Muse, the names of those who fell on this fatal day. First, Jemmy Tweedle felt
on his hinder head the direful bone. Him the pleasant banks of sweetly-winding Stour had
nourished, where he first learnt the vocal art, with which, wandering up and down at wakes and
fairs, he cheered the rural nymphs and swains, when upon the green they interweaved the
sprightly dance; while he himself stood fiddling and jumping to his own music. How little now
avails his fiddle! He thumps the verdant floor with his carcass. Next, old Echepole, the sowgelder,
received a blow in his forehead from our Amazonian heroine, and immediately fell to the ground.
He was a swinging fat fellow, and fell with almost as much noise as a house. His tobacco-box
dropped at the same time from his pocket, which Molly took up as lawful spoils. Then Kate of the
Mill tumbled unfortunately over a tombstone, which catching hold of her ungartered stocking
inverted the order of nature, and gave her heels the superiority to her head. Betty Pippin, with
young Roger her lover, fell both to the ground; where, oh perverse fate! she salutes the earth, and
he the sky. Tom Freckle, the smith's son, was the next victim to her rage. He was an ingenious
workman, and made excellent pattens; nay, the very patten with which he was knocked down was
his own workmanship. Had he been at that time singing psalms in the church, he would have
avoided a broken head. Miss Crow, the daughter of a farmer; John Giddish, himself a farmer; Nan
Slouch, Esther Codling, Will Spray, Tom Bennet; the three Misses Potter, whose father keeps the
sign of the Red Lion; Betty Chambermaid, Jack Ostler, and many others of inferior note, lay rolling
among the graves. (Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, 1985: 140-142)

d) Miss Clarissa Harlowe to Miss Howe

February 25.
I have had the expected conference with my aunt.
I have been obliged to hear the man's [Mr. Solmes’s] proposals from her; and all their
motives for espousing him as they do. I am even loth to mention, how equally unjust it is for him
to make such offers, or for those I am bound to reverence to accept of them. I hate him more than
before. One great estate is already obtained at the expense of the relations to it, tho' distant
relations; my brother's, I mean, by his godmother: And this has given the hope, however
chimerical that hope, of procuring others; and that my own, at least, may revert to the family: And
yet, in my opinion, the world is but one great family: originally it was so: What then is this narrow
selfishness that reigns in us, but relationship remembered against relationship forgot?
But here, upon my absolute refusal of him upon any terms, have I had a signification made
me, that wounds me to the heart. How can I tell it you? Yet I must. It is, my dear, that I must not,
for a month to come, or till license obtained, correspond with any -body out of the house.
My brother, upon my aunt's report (made, however, as I am informed, in the gentlest
manner, and even giving remote hopes, which she had no commission from me to give), brought
me, in authoritative terms, the prohibition.
Not to Miss Howe? said I.
No, not to Miss Howe, Madam, tauntingly: For have you not acknowledged, that Lovelace
is a favourite there?
See, my dear Miss Howe!
And do you think, brother, this is the way?
Do you look to that: But your letters will be stopped, I can tell you. And away he flung.
 My sister came to me soon after. Sister Clary, you are going on in a fine way, I understand.
But as there are people who are supposed to harden you against your duty, I am to tell you, that it
will be taken well, if you avoid visits or visitings for a week or two, till further order.
Can this be from those who have authority—
Ask them; ask them, child, with a twirl of her finger. I have delivered my message. Your
papa will be obeyed. He is willing to hope you to be all obedience; and would prevent all
incitements to refractoriness.
I know my duty, said I, and hope I shall not find impossible conditions annexed to it.
A pert young creature, vain and conceited, she called me. I was the only judge, in my own
wise-opinion, of what was right and fit. She, for her part, had long seen through my specious ways:
And now I should show everybody what I was at bottom.
Dear Bella, said I! hands and eyes lifted up, why all this? Dear, dear Bella, why—
None of your dear, dear Bella's to me. I tell you, I see thro' your witchcrafts. That was her
strange word: And away she flung; adding, as she went,— And so will everybody else very quickly,
I dare say.
Bless me, said I to myself, what a sister have I! How have I deserved this? Then I again
regretted my grandfather's too distinguishing goodness to me.

Feb. 25. In the evening.

What my brother and sister have said against me, I cannot tell; but I am in heavy disgrace
with my papa.
I was sent for down to tea. I went with a very cheerful aspect; but had occasion soon to
change it.
Such a solemnity in every-body's countenance! My mamma's eyes were fixed upon the tea-
cups; and when she looked up, it was heavily, as if her eyelids had weights upon them; and then
not to me. My papa sat half-aside in his elbow-chair, that his head might be turned from me; his
hands folded, and waving, as it were, up and down; his fingers, poor dear gentleman! in motion, as
if angry to the very ends of them. My sister sat swelling. My brother looked at me with scorn,
having measured me, as I may say, with his eyes, as I entered, from head to foot. My aunt was
there, and looked upon me, as if with kindness restrained, bending coldly to my compliment to
her, as she sat; and then cast an eye first on my brother, then on my sister, as if to give the reason
(so I am willing to construe it) of her unusual stiffness. —Bless me, my dear! that they should
choose to intimidate rather than invite a mind, till now, not thought either unpersuadable or
ungenerous!—
I took my seat. Shall I make tea, Madam, to my mamma? I always used, you know, my
dear, to make tea.
No! a very short sentence, in one very short word was the expressive answer: And she was
pleased to take the canister in her own hand.
My sister's Betty attending, my brother bid her go; he would fill the water.
My heart was up at my mouth. I did not know what to do with myself. What is to follow?
thought I
Just after the second dish, out stepped my mamma. — A word with you, sister Hervey!
taking her in her hand. Presently my sister dropped away. Then my brother. So I was left alone
with my papa.
He looked so very sternly, that my heart failed me, as twice or thrice I would have
addressed myself to him: Nothing but solemn silence on all hands having passed before.
At last, I asked, If it were his pleasure, that I should pour him out another dish?
He answered me with the same angry monosyllable which I had received from my mamma
before; and then arose, and walked about the room. I arose too, with intent to throw myself at his
feet; but was too much over-awed by his sternness, even to make such an expression of my duty
to him, as my heart overflowed with.
At last, as he supported himself, because of his gout, on the back of a chair, I took a little
more courage; and approaching him, besought him to acquaint me, in what I had offended him?
He turned from me, and, in a strong voice, Clarissa Harlowe, said he, know, that I will be
obeyed.
God forbid, Sir, that you should not! I have never yet opposed your will—
Nor I your whimsies, Clarissa Harlowe, interrupted he. Don't let me run the fate of all who
show indulgence to your sex; to be the more contradicted for mine to you.
My papa, you know, my dear, has not (any more than my brother) a kind opinion of our
sex; altho' there is not a more condescending wife in the world than my mamma.
I was going to make protestations of duty. —No protestations, girl! No words. I will not be
prated to! I will be obeyed! I have no child. I will have no child, but an obedient one.
Sir, you never had reason, I hope—
Tell me not what I never had, but what I have, and what I shall have.
Good Sir, be pleased to hear me. My brother and my sister, I fear—
Your brother and sister shall not be spoken against, girl! They have a just concern for the
honour of my family.
And I hope, Sir,—
Hope nothing. Tell me not of hopes, but of facts. I ask nothing of you but what is in your
power to comply with, and what it is your duty to comply with.
Then, Sir, I will comply with it. But yet I hope from your goodness,—
No expostulations! No buts, girl! No qualifyings! I will be obeyed, I tell you; and cheerfully
too!—or you are no child of mine!
I wept.
Let me beseech you, my dear and ever honoured papa (and I dropt down on my knees)
that I may have only yours and my mamma's will, and not my brother's, to obey. —I was going on;
but he was pleased to withdraw, leaving me on the floor; saying, that he would not hear me thus
by subtlety and cunning aiming to distinguish away my duty, repeating, that he would be obeyed.
My heart is too full; so full, that it may endanger my duty, were I to unburden it to you on
this occasion: So I will lay down my pen. But can— Yet, positively, I will lay down my pen! —
(Samuel Richardson, Clarissa, 2004: 63-65)