Sterne is a witty, erudite writer, who makes ready and easy reference to the wide world of literature that has influenced him through allusion. His style is marked by discursive narration, which is responsible for the hilarity of Yorick’s inner monologue and the strength of much of Sterne’s satire. The narration takes the reader at breakneck pace from Yorick’s inner thoughts to the actions of the novel with no warning. Consider this early quote from Volume 1, during Sterne’s encounter with the monk:
As I pronounced the words great claims, he gave a slight glance with his eye downwards upon the sleeve of his tunick—I felt the full force of the appeal—I acknowledge it, said I—a coarse habit, and that but once in three years, with meagre diet—are no great matters; and the true point of pity is, as they can be earn’d in the world with so little industry, that your order should wish to procure them by pressing upon a fund which is the property of the lame, the blind, the aged and the infirm— […]
And so Sterne continues. This is his main style of narration: description punctuated by Yorick’s thoughts and snarky side comments, with liberal use of the em dash to indicate when dialogue switches between characters or between Yorick's thoughts and his speech—which affords Sterne the ability to rapidly alternate between narration and dialogue without needing to break into new paragraphs.
