Multiple Narratives in "To Die For"
...having multiple narrators helps to eradicate bias for the reader because it provides multiple versions of the story. If the protagonist is used as the single first-person narrator in Maynard’s To Die For, the reader will gain a very bias opinion of Suzanne. This is due to the fact that Suzanne’s version of the story is a never mirror image of the versions told by Jimmy, Russell and Lydia. This is exemplified by Suzanne’s reaction when she realizes that Lydia has a crush on Jimmy. Suzanne says to herself, “But as for why Lydia didn’t come. I don’t know. Except that I think she was coming to resent the interest James showed in me. Which was all one-sided of course.” (Maynard 114) With analysis of this quote, it is clear that Suzanne never admits to herself that she shows interest in Jimmy. Although, Suzanne has ulterior motives, she does not openly admit them to the other characters nor herself. Therefore, if Suzanne were to be the single first-person narrator, the reader would have an exceptionally bias opinion of Suzanne, resulting in undeserving pity for her. The reader may begin to that Jimmy is fabricating fictional stories. Furthermore, the reader cannot determine Suzanne’s guilt or innocence. On another note, suspense and anticipation are key elements to a captivating storyline. In order for an individual to continue reading a work of fiction, the novel must grasp the reader’s attention from beginning to end. By using multiple first-person narration in a novel, suspense, as well as anticipation, go hand-in-hand. Since this narrative method allows various characters to tell a story from their own perspective, the reader obtains different versions of a similar story. Throughout the novel, there are many occasions where a story is told by Jimmy, and then retold by Suzanne. However, Suzanne’s version is dramatically different. This generates intense curiosity for the reader who must decide which version is accurate. Since the reality is only revealed toward the end of the novel, this causes suspense and anticipation for the reader whom is anxious to uncover the truth. There are countless examples in the novel, To Die For, which exemplify the uncertainty and suspense that the reader is obliged to feel due to contradicting stories. For example, the first time that Jimmy and Suzanne make love, Jimmy describes Suzanne’s approach after getting her tattoo. He says, “She pushes the bra down, so one tit’s mostly showing. Then I see it. A rose, like she picked out. ‘Well,’ she says, ‘don’t you want to fuck me?’” (Maynard 96) It is blatantly obvious to Jimmy that Suzanne makes the first attempt to start a sexual relationship. Jimmy is too shy to make the first move on Mrs. Maretto, as he calls her. At this point in the novel, the reader believes that Jimmy and Suzanne have engaged in sexual intercourse. However, the suspense and anxiety is formed within the reader shortly afterwards. When Suzanne tells the same story with many variations, the reader is left confused and unaware of what is fact. Suzanne says, “The worst part was from that night on, James wouldn’t leave me alone. He’d gotten this crazy idea that I was interested in him, and he just wouldn’t take a hint. In his twisted mind we hadn’t gone to Little Paradise Beach to research a project. We’d gone on a date, if you can imagine.” (Maynard 99) This causes anticipation for the reader who is eager to discover the true plot. The reader is unconfident of which story is factual and must continue reading in order to depict which characters are being truthful. Reliability of characters is significant in constructing opinions of them. In order to attain a sense of who each character truly is, what they think and how they feel, the reader relies mainly on the narrator and what others say about the character. However, in a multiple first-person narration, such as To Die For, each character is seen from many different perspectives. Since every character narrates at some point within the novel, the reader acquires an extensive amount of information about each of the characters. However, since there is no omniscient narrator, one must question the reliability of these characters. Furthermore, since these are not all-knowing characters, the reader must determine which elements of each individual’s story are fact or fiction. The most noticeably unreliable character within the novel is Suzanne Maretto due to her const...