1. The “Narrator” vs. the “Author”in literature
Notes for your literary terms binder tab
Based on The Razor’s Edge
Prepared by Ms. Teref

2. Definition of “narrator”
The narrator tells the story.
-The narrator may be
in the story – e.g. “I” or “we” e.g. The Razor’s Edge
outside the story – e.g. “he,” “she,” or “they” (there is no “I” when the story is told)

3. Implication for writing:
When you write about a novel, do NOT write that the author says this or that. The “person” telling the story is NOT the author, but the “narrator.”
In writing, you can only state that the author wrote or published the novel in a certain year, but you cannot state that the author is speaking or saying anything in a novel.
e.g. You can say that The Good Earth was WRITTEN by Pearl S. Buck, but not that Buck describes Lotus or Wang Lung’s braid. Who describes the above? – The NARRATOR.

4. Implication for writing:
“I” in fiction is the “narrator.” “I” is not the author.
“I” in poetry is the “speaker.” “I” is NOT the poet.

5. The Razor’s Edge – who is Somerset Maugham?
PAY ATTENTION:
The author of the novel is Somerset Maugham.
The narrator of the novel is called Somerset Maugham.
Is the author of the novel the same as the narrator?

6. Answer
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Somerset Maugham, the author, is “messing with you.” Somerset Maugham, the author, decided to call the narrator of his novel The Razor’s Edge by his own name. But the character Somerset Maugham, who is also the narrator of the story, is NOT the author who wrote the book. They just have the same name. HA!

7. Why did the author S. Maugham do that?
Maugham, the author, decided, to play with the illusion of story-telling. He is playing with it by blurring the line between reality and fiction. Tripped out!
To allay your fears, Chapter 1 is the ONLY chapter in which he messes with the reader.

8. Breaking down “the fourth wall”
“The fourth wall” in theater is the invisible wall between the audience and the stage.
e.g. Blue Man Group: the audience doesn’t sit passively disconnected from the stage and actors. On the contrary, the actors bring the audience into the play, interact with it, have the audience participate.
Maugham is doing the same: he
wants to confuse you in order to pull
you into the novel!