INDIRECT DISCOURSE.
Definitions.
447. Direct discourse—that is, a
direct quotation or a direct question—means the identical words the
writer or speaker used; as,—
"I
hope you have not killed him?" said Amyas.—Kingsley.
Indirect discourse means reported speech,—the
thoughts of a writer or speaker put in the words of the one reporting them.
Two samples of indirect
discourse.
448. Indirect discourse may
be of two kinds:—
(1) Following the thoughts and also the exact words as far
as consistent with the rules of logical sequence of verbs.
(2) Merely a concise representation of the original words,
not attempting to follow the entire quotation.
The following examples of both are from De
Quincey:—
1. Reyes remarked that it was not in his power to oblige
the clerk as to that, but that he could oblige him by cutting his throat.
Direct.
His exact words were, "I cannot oblige you
..., but I can oblige you by cutting your throat."
Indirect.
Her prudence whispered eternally, that safety there was
none for her until she had laid the Atlantic between herself and St.
Sebastian's.
Direct.
She thought to herself, "Safety there is none for
me until I have laid," etc.
Summary of the
expressions.
2. Then he laid bare the unparalleled ingratitude of
such a step. Oh, the unseen treasure that had been spent upon that girl! Oh,
the untold sums of money that he had sunk in that unhappy speculation!
Direct synopsis.
The substance of his lamentation was, "Oh, unseen
treasure has been spent upon that girl! Untold sums of money have
I sunk," etc.
449. From these
illustrations will be readily seen the grammatical changes made in transferring
from direct to indirect discourse. Remember the following facts:—
(1) Usually the main, introductory verb is in the past
tense.
(2) The indirect quotation is usually introduced by
that, and the indirect question by whether or if, or
regular interrogatives.
(3) Verbs in the present-tense form are changed to the
past-tense form. This includes the auxiliaries be, have,
will, etc. The past tense is sometimes changed to the past perfect.
(4) The pronouns of the first and second persons are all
changed to the third person. Sometimes it is clearer to introduce the
antecedent of the pronoun instead.
Other examples of indirect discourse have been
given in Part I., under interrogative
pronouns, interrogative adverbs, and the subjunctive mood of verbs. |
