Importance of narrative techniques

In this article, I would argue the use of storytelling approaches in the literature and compare the tools used in two literary texts: Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe and Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.
The importance of the methods cannot be overstated. They are primarily the cornerstone of a story; without narrative, there is no story; therefore, they can be regarded as the primary medium of literary language, that is, storytelling. Narrative approaches assist literature readers in gaining a thorough interpretation of a text. Since it is the language of literature, one may connect to the raconteur by them.
Narrative methods are not sufficient on their own. They are manifested through literary devices as style, themes, setting, plot and narration voice. A method may be based on either of the stated elements. Some of the commonly used style techniques are inclusive of hyperboles, alliteration, metaphors and even personification. Based the on the voice of narration, we have the first, second and third-person points of view. In the plot, we have the flashback and/ or backstory technique. The choice of a narrative technique is dependent solely on the storyteller. As seen above, it helps in providing a clear understanding of a given text.
In both texts, the author uses the first person point of view. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is told in the voice of Crusoe himself. He narrates his experiences in life, as well as his feelings. The reader can easily relate to the narrator by placing themselves in Crusoe's place. He says, "Being the third son of the family and not bred to any trade; my head began to be filled very early with rambling thoughts." Admittedly, there cannot be more evidence than this of his narration. From Crusoe’s point of view, we see his family and what he perceives of them. Further proof of this technique is that when one reads the book, understanding is limited to what Crusoe says. He has the monopoly of information (Seager 142–150).
Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations has also employed the first person point of view narration technique. The narrator, Pip, is the main character in this story. The use of ‘I’ in many instances indicates his spoken-word, characteristic of the first person narration technique. The storyteller says that when he got to Magwitch, he shut the book he was reading. In this regard, readers become Pip and see from his perspective (McBratney 529–546).
The use of the autobiographical technique of narration by Defoe in Robinson Crusoe is evident in the description of his family (Seager 142–150). He talks of the year he was born, 1632. Crusoe talks of being a third born in his family- this is biographical information Furthermore, when prevailed upon by his father to desist from dreaming of going abroad, he reluctantly agrees to stay and follows the family expectations. Although he wishes to honor his father’s demands, he finds himself unable to do so. He goes ahead and creates his legacy, a would-be autobiography.
Crusoe also displays spiritual autobiography, a standard literary technique in Dickens' days. He is depicted as a pro-religious character, having no belief in God. A firm believer in fate and chance, Crusoe's religious beliefs change his life experiences. Seeing grains grow in an unexpected place, without being sown, he starts to believe in the existence of God. The experience of surviving the shipwreck showed him the signs of a supreme being. Given the times of the story’s edition, it was a common practice for authors to create characters who would be shown their flaws and subsequently turn into Christians.
Charles Dickens exploits the technique of telling a story within another. Although Pip is the narrator, there are cases where other characters tell him their stories. However, it is important to note that these stories are a deviation from the author's primary focus, the story of Pip. Joe, Magwitch, and Herbert all tell Pip their stories and those of other characters such as Miss Havisham, Compeyson, Molly, and Estella (McBratney 529–546).
Defoe also uses realistic narration. Crusoe's description of a storm at sea is a good example. He says that after the shipwreck, he made a raft, which he used to ferry what he needed to survive the island. He makes eleven trips in this venture. The precise description of what he gathered and how he settled down on the coast seems realistic. Notably, this technique helps the readers to understand the story with ease, especially in the case of our modern world where imagination appears to have died (Seager 142-150).
Dickens uses three-part chronology of events. Pip describes his life from childhood to middle age to current old age. Readers can easily grow with Pip and understand his tribulations over the years. Being orphaned and shunned by love since childhood are events that have shaped his adult life. His pain never stops (McBratney 529–546). Accordingly, chronology makes a story easier to follow.Work Cited
McBratney, John. "RELUCTANT COSMOPOLITANISM IN DICKENS'S ‘GREAT EXPECTATIONS." Victorian Literature and Culture, 38.2 (2010): 529–546. Print.
Seager, Nicholas. "Defoe at 350." Eighteenth-Century Studies, 45.1 (2011): 142–150. Print.