L’oreille tendue La parole aux personnages

Proust’s ear was very sharp, as is that of his narrator. The speech of his characters is the textual site of a characterisation which is both individual (idolect) and social (sociolect). Although it proceeds more by way of clusters of quotations than by scenes, its description invades the margins of the modus dire, and the narrative commentaries. It illustrates the pragmatic stakes of communication and provides us with access to the secret psychology of the characters. Its vehicle also constitutes part of the style of the œuvre.