CHILD AS NARRATOR IN FICTIONAL DIARY: STYLISTIC ASPECT

Abstract

The article deals with the analysis of “Nelly Custis’ Diary” by the American author M.A. Bourne as the example of a fictional diary based on historical sources. It explores the genre of fictional diaries, focusing on the narrative style and language used when narrator is a child. It is defined that the genre, while rooted in real-life diaries, combines fiction and intimate first-person narration, offering readers a personal insight into events from the narrator’s subjective perspective. Diaries, both real and fictional, exhibit a fragmentary, non-linear style, emphasizing emotions, memories, and introspection. The research highlights the role of child narrators, particularly in fictional diaries based on historical documents, and emphasizes how their understanding of the world shapes their narration.The study analyses the use of stylistic devices in a fictional diary detailing the life of George Washington’s step-granddaughter. Written from Nelly’s perspective at a young age, the diary reflects the simplicity and emotional immediacy of a child’s viewpoint. Bourne’s narrative incorporates ecphonesis, repetition, and questions-in-the-narrative, enumeration and parallelism which help convey Nelly’s feelings and perceptions such as excitement, joy, grief, as well as her observations of daily life. The narrative also includes ellipsis to create dramatic pauses, showing her reflective thinking. The analysis proves that simplicity of the diary in style is balanced by its emotional depth, allowing readers to connect with Nelly’s experience and see historical events through her eyes.The study concludes that fictional diaries, particularly those with child narrators, offer valuable insights into historical periods by personalizing events. The child’s viewpoint is essential in conveying sincere emotions and uniqueness of their experience. Future research could expand on the linguistic and stylistic analysis of child narrators in both fictional and non-fictional diaries as well as studying the genre’s narrative potential.