Chronology, time, tense and experientiality in narrative

Tense in narrative and non-narrative texts performs a variety of functions, not all of which are properly temporal or aspectual. In particular, tense relates to the passing of time (duration), sequentiality, chronology and the expression of subjectivity (frequently linked with aspect). In addition, tense is here argued to fulfil textual functions of foregrounding and backgrounding over and above plot-related foregrounding. The peculiarities of the use of tense in literary narrative can be illustrated by reference to texts in which the tenses chosen do not seem to obey any of the familiar rules of aspect or tense usage but seem to acquire a properly literary function. As one of many possible examples of such a literary use of tense, Ondaatje’s The English Patient is then analysed in detail. It will be argued that linguistic analysis of such a peculiar use of tense can help to explain why such texts are odd but that the purpose of the idiosyncrasy must be sought in literary effect and the artificial shaping of language as deliberate literary strategy.1