Abstract:
The objective of this thesis is to study the narrative techniques used by Jodi Picoult in narrating an intricate relationship between childrens and young adults problems and contemporary American society. Seven novels by Jodi Picoult are chosen for this study: Plain Truth (2000), Perfect Match (2002), My Sisters Keeper (2004), Vanishing Acts (2005), The Tenth Circle (2006), Nineteen Minutes (2007) and Handle with Care (2009). The study reveals that Jodi Picoult uses two major types of narrative techniques namely multiple narrators for presenting characters point of view and nonlinear narrative for providing background of characters and events. Picoult uses these techniques to depict many social problems children and young adults face in contemporary American society, such as, sickness, disability, school violence, sexual abuse, unintended pregnancy, self-harm and teen suing parents. The study of narrative techniques used by Jodi Picoults 7 novels reveals childrens and young adults problems in contemporary American society.