It is tempting to approach a novel with a predetermined perspective or goal, to which all passages and events in the plot can be forced to conform. With this approach, the story theoretically makes more sense; the messages to leave with are carefully packaged and presented. This approach, however, deprives the reader of an important interactive process with the novel, one in which the reader plays an active role in how the text is interpreted. With Jane Austen's Emma, ​​that's exactly what the reader is invited to do. Just as Emma imagines the motivations, plans, and thoughts of the characters in her own life, the reader can fully imagine the characters' true thoughts and feelings, and feel just as immersed in the emotions of the story as Emma . she does it herself. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get an original essayThe key to this effect lies in Austen's narrative technique of selective focus and how it applies to the way whose situations are presented, to the eyes through which the reader sees (and therefore sometimes misinterprets) the situations, and to the selection of situations and thoughts that are either presented or hidden from the reader's knowledge. It is therefore easy to understand that the ideal situation is not a reading process in which every situation has meaning, but that the real attraction lies rather in the confrontation with the text. Every passage that doesn't fit into the organic whole of the novel, and every moment where the reader is confused and must interact with the text to interpret what is happening, makes the reading all the more rewarding. As becomes particularly clear in the following passage to be discussed, Austen's use of selective focus invites the reader to take an active role in reading the text; a far more satisfying alternative than simply accepting a simple plot. The passage on page 307 of the text is a striking example of how narrative technique impacts character development and the feelings conveyed to the reader - feelings of mystery, increased interest, intrigue, or simply more immersion in the emotions of the novel, to feel more present in the fictional situation. In this passage, Emma has just returned from her apologetic visit to Miss Bates, after the Box Hill fiasco. Mr. Knightley, having reprimanded Emma for her conduct, is now suddenly overcome by an unusual desire to kiss Emma's hand: [Emma] was heartily satisfied - and at one point still more so, by a little gesture of friendship more than common. his role. - He took her hand; - If it was not she herself who had made the first movement, she could not say - perhaps she could have rather offered it to him - but he took her hand, shook it and was certainly on the point of bring it to his lips - when, by some whim or another, he suddenly let go. - Why he should feel such scruples, why he should change his mind when everything was almost done, she could not understand. - He would have judged better, she thought, if he had not stopped... - He left them immediately afterwards - gone in a moment. (Austen 307) The most immediately striking feature of this passage is the frequent caesura. Although Austen frequently uses hyphens when dealing with free indirect speech (which is common in this novel), in very rare cases hyphenation is also abundant. This technique places particular emphasis on the uncertain, hesitant and emotional thought process by which Emma perceives the situation. Hyphens implypauses, a time during which Emma thinks, reflects and tries to make sense of this unusual situation presented to her. This technique also highlights the importance of the shift to Mr. Knightley's plot and character development, as it is clear that such a situation has never occurred before, from the uncertainty with which Mr. . Knightley acts and Emma perceives. Hyphens also imply a sense of urgency in the situation, because they create the feeling of a detailed account of the situation. The reader has the feeling of being present with Emma and perceiving the action as soon as Emma does it. The effect would be remarkably different, for example, if the passage were told in diegetic form, without the hyphens. The apparent lack of composure, or even coherence, of the narration makes it seem as if the reader is getting the straight, straight version of the story, not the filtered and processed version. Hyphens are therefore a key element in expressing the emotional urgency of the situation, as well as the striking feeling that there is something important to note about the characters, because the narration is fraught with uncertainty. The importance of internal focus is as follows. aspect of the passage that presents itself clearly to the reader. The narration of the moment makes the reader feel like they are truly inside Emma's head, experiencing events as they happen, as they happen through Emma's eyes. Emma. The interjection of judgments and reflections into the narrative of the plot is a key aspect of internal focus, as it gives the reader the feeling that they are not only seeing what Emma sees, but also hearing what Emma thinks. For example, Austen writes: “He took her hand; - if she had not made the first movement herself, she could not have said it - she might rather have offered it to him - but he took her hand” (307). This extract is remarkable for two reasons. It is quite clear to what extent the reader is able to know what Emma is thinking, as the reader can even follow what appears to be temporary amnesia on Emma's part; blinded by curiosity and the unexpected nature of the situation, she is unable to remember whether she reached out or not. This seemingly small detail has incredible significance, as it is proof that the reader only sees what Emma sees and only knows what Emma sees. knows. This is a small example of a technique used extensively throughout the novel, with great success: withholding information adds to the emotion of the situation and the mystery of the plot. The second notable aspect of this extract is the overlay of the factual account of the event, when “he took her hand” is stated twice. This effect is reminiscent of a friend telling a story and what often happens in natural speech when someone is interrupted by a thought and reflection. The use of this narration that deviates from a simple recounting of events is another attempt by Austen to make the reader feel like they are on a more personal level with the characters, thus creating a sense of investment more personal in the novel. This passage is also an important insight into Mr. Knightley's character development. This is one of the first times Mr. Knightley surprises the reader with his actions, which seem as controlled and appropriate as ever. This is also the first time the reader detects hard evidence of a possible romance between Knightley and Emma, ​​which makes the selective focus even more important - the selective focus proves to the reader that he or she may be feeling... be something the characters don't feel. , which allows the reader to feel more involved in a way., 2002.