Time and times in the work of Saint Teresa of Avila: a narratological approach

Abstract

Time as a narrative category arises from the temporary status of any narrative by which the narrative language is oriented towards processes that are based on temporality. Time thus becomes one of the fundamental aspects of any narrative. Although the style of Teresa’s texts is characterised by the tone of oral conversation, this does not exclude her concern with the form and organisation of her writings. Our main concern is time from two different perspectives; on the one hand, as a component of the story and on the other, as its manifestation on the level of discourse. First, we analyse the relationships and the discrepancies in the works of St. Teresa of Avila between the discourse time and the story time, using three parameters: order, duration and frequency (Genette, 1972). Secondly, we examine different kinds of narration in the works of Saint Teresa to establish whether the majority of them are subsequent (ulterior), prior (anterior), simultaneous or interpolated (intercalated). Contrasting story time and discourse time in the works of Saint Teresa, we note the agility of her literary style and her ability to organize narrative syntax.