POINT OF VIEW “mode of access” or “window” through which the author tells the story the narrator determines the point of view of the story

FIRST-PERSON NARRATOR the story is being told to us by one of the characters in the story the narrator refers to himself or herself as "I"  may be a main or minor character don’t take the voice of the narrator for that of the author

FIRST-PERSON NARRATOR Question: Is the first-person narrator reliable? Not really. Advantages: Convincing Simplifies writer’s tasks Disadvantages: Restricted view e.g. ignorant about the facts - out of negligence or naiveté May be dishonest Creates irony

THIRD-PERSON NARRATOR the story is being told to us by a narrator who is not a character in the story “he,” “she,” “they” are used

TYPES OF 3RD-PERSON NARRATOR Omniscient All-knowing Access to characters’ minds Limited Omniscient Access to one character’s mind Objective (Dramatic) Access to characters’ dialogue and actions No access to characters’ minds

Question: Is the third-person narrator reliable? Yes. More inclusive views of events and characters (not limited) Interpretation without interference