Free Indirect Speech

Why we need to thank Jane Austen

We have many decisions to make as writers but one of the most basic perhaps is whether to write in first or third person (second is difficult to sustain and rarely used). The advantages and disadvantages of each will be discussed elsewhere, but what if we can have the benefit of both?

 Cue Jane Austen.

Jane Austen is often credited for inventing a style called ‘Free Indirect Speech.’ This combines the narrative perspective of third person with the proximity of first person. In other words, an external narrator presents thoughts as though from inside a character’s head. Here’s an example from ‘Pride and Prejudice.’

Lydia was exceedingly fond of him.  He was her dear Wickham on every occasion; no one was to be put in competition with him.  He did every thing best in the world; and she was sure he would kill more birds on the first of September, than any body else in the country

So the passage is in third person (Lydia…she…) but presented as though the thoughts are coming from her own mouth (no one was to be put in competition with him.  He did every thing best in the world). The test is whether we can present this as direct speech without it sounding strange: ‘No one was to be put in competition with him,’ she thought. The trick in free indirect speech however, is to take out the signifiers of speech and thought and present them in isolation, straight from the character’s head.

Here is another instance of free indirect speech, this time from James Joyce (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man). He strode homeward, conscious of an invisible grace pervading and making light his limbs. In spite of all he had done it. He had confessed and God had pardoned him. His soul was made fair and holy once more, holy and happy. It would be beautiful to die if God so willed. It was beautiful to live in grace a life of peace and virtue and forbearance with others.

The first sentence is straight third person (He strode…) but then Joyce moves into free indirect speech, presenting the character’s thoughts as though from his own head: (‘In spite of all he had done it).

 So why use free indirect speech?:

Well, it takes us into the character’s head, it streamlines the narrative and it creates interest and variety.

And all thanks to Jane Austen…