"When I wrote The Virgin Suicides, I gave myself very strict rules about the narrative voice: the boys would only be able to report what they had seen or found or what had been told to them"
- Jeffrey Eugenides
About this Quote
In this quote, Jeffrey Eugenides is referring to his unique The Virgin Suicides. He is discussing that when he composed the novel, he set particular rules for himself relating to the narrative voice. Specifically, he wanted the young boys in the unique to only have the ability to report what they had actually seen, discovered, or been informed. This is an interesting technique to writing, as it limits the storyteller's ability to provide information and rather depends on the boys to supply the story. This technique offers the unique a special point of view, as the boys are the ones providing the information and the reader is delegated interpret it. It also enables the reader to acquire insight into the young boys' viewpoints and how they view the events of the novel. Overall, this quote demonstrates how Eugenides was deliberate in his composing and how he wanted to develop a special narrative voice for The Virgin Suicides.
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