Narrative Perspective

Narrative perspective refers to the point of view from which a story is told. There are three main types:

1. Third-person omniscient narrator:

   • Tells the story from outside
   • Knows characters' thoughts, feelings, and background
   • May comment on characters' behavior, the story, or the writing itself

2. Third-person limited narrator:

   • Tells the story from outside
   • Knows only about the feelings and opinions of a particular character
   • Not identical with the character

3. First-person narrator:

   • Identical with a character in the story
   • Provides close access to that character's feelings and opinions
   • Limited to what the character knows
   • Often, but not always, the protagonist

Highlight: The choice of narrative perspective significantly affects how readers engage with the story and characters.

Vocabulary:

• Omniscient: All-knowing
• Protagonist: The main character in a story

Narrative Situation

The narrative situation significantly influences the story's effect on readers. It encompasses:

1. Point of view:

   • Determined by the narrator's person and attitude towards characters
   • Controls what information readers receive and when
   • Can create suspense by withholding information

2. Narrator reliability:

   • Reliable narrators provide complete information
   • Unreliable narrators may not tell the whole truth

3. Tense:

   • Influences the perceived distance between readers and characters
   • Present tense can create a sense of immediacy

Highlight: The narrative situation plays a crucial role in shaping the reader's experience and engagement with the story.

Vocabulary:

• Unreliable narrator: A narrator whose credibility is compromised

These elements collectively form the foundation of narrative technique analysis, providing valuable tools for students to explore and understand literature more deeply.