Point of View

First Person Uses words like: I, me, we. The narrator is a character in the story. We know ONE CHARACTER’S thoughts, feelings, and actions

First Person- Example I stared at the wall and tried to remember what it felt like to be fourteen and have a major crush on a guy. I’ve never felt love as intensely as Juliet. Personally, I always thought that Juliet’s character was a bit too impulsive and naïve. But, who was I to quibble with Shakespeare? I was willing to set aside my personal opinions for a chance to play one of the most famous female characters in drama. What better way to end my high school drama career than to play the role of Juliet. Before I could get the role, though, I would have to impress Mr. Glover. I closed my eyes and pictured myself standing on the balcony as Juliet: My heart is heavy because my love is my sworn enemy, and I’ll probably never get the chance to see him again. My voice is sad and full of longing. “O, Romeo…”

Third Person Limited Uses words like: he, she, they. The narrator is NOT a character in the story. We know ONE CHARACTERS’ thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Third Person Limited- Example Gary paced back and forth in front of the mirror-lined wall. He glanced toward Ruth and smiled. She looked so odd standing in the corner talking to the wall. He admired the way she could totally immerse herself in a character and ignore the outside world. He was too aware of what other people thought of him. He sometimes played the clown, but only when he knew that he could get a laugh. Mr. Glover said he tried too hard to entertain people. Maybe that was why Mr. Glover always cast him in a comic role. This time, though, he wanted a chance to try his hand at more serious acting. Mercutio’s character seemed the perfect role for him—sometimes foolish and other times brooding and angry.

Third Person Omniscient Uses words like he, she, they. The narrator is NOT a character in the story. We know TWO OR MORE CHARACTERS’ thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Third Person Omniscient- Example Just outside the auditorium entrance, students milled about nervously and waited to be called in for the audition. A few had paired off to practice their lines together, but most stood or sat alone engaged in their own calming rituals. Ruth stood in the corner and talked to the wall in a low voice. She would be graduating this year, and she desperately wanted to be Juliet. She was trying to get just the right tone of voice for the balcony scene. Gary, dressed in all black, paced back and forth in front of the mirror- lined wall and periodically glanced at his reflection and smoothed his dark hair. He was auditioning for Mercutio, but he was worried that Mr. Glover would think he was too much of a “ comedic ” actor to give him a more serious role. Janis sat with her back against the row of lockers, her knees tucked up close to her body, and stared at the floor as she recited the lines in her head. She didn ’ t really care what part she got as long as she had a speaking role. She had been an extra in the last two productions and was ready for more responsibility.

Why Is Point of View Important? – The narrator’s point of view determines what and how much you learn about the story’s characters, events, and places. – You have to know if you should believe the narrator: How much does this narrator know and understand? How much does this narrator want me to know? How would this story be different if someone else were telling it? Can I trust this narrator?

An automobile accident occurs. Two drivers are involved. Witnesses include four sidewalk spectators, a policeman, a man with a video camera who happened to be shooting the scene, and the pilot of a helicopter that was flying overhead. Here we have nine different points of view and, most likely, nine different descriptions of the accident. On the back of your notes write a 3-4 sentence description of the accident in each of the different points of view. Point of View Practice