Meaning and Types of Point of View in Literature for SS 1

Point of View

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define point of view;
2. differentiate among first- person, third- person limited, and omniscient narrators;
3. analyze how narrative points of view affect tone and authenticity;
4. compose a short narrative from different points of view.

Meaning of Point of View

Point of view refers to the perspective from which a story is told.

It is the angle or position from which the narrator presents the events, characters, and settings of a narrative. The choice of point of view significantly influences how readers experience the story and understand the characters’ thoughts and feelings.

Types of Point of View

In literature, different points of view allow authors to control the amount of information shared with the reader and how that information is presented. The main types of point of view are first-person, third-person limited, and omniscient narrators.

First-Person Point of View

In the first-person point of view, the story is told by one of the characters within the narrative.

This character uses “I” and “we” to refer to themselves. The reader experiences the story directly through the eyes and mind of this character, gaining access to their thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences. However, the reader only knows what this character knows or observes.

Examples of first-person narration include:

1. “I walked into the market, and the smell of fresh pepper hit me immediately.”
2. “We decided to visit our grandmother in the village during the holidays.”
3. “My heart pounded as I saw the results posted on the notice board.”

Third-Person Limited Point of View

In the third-person limited point of view, the narrator is outside the story and refers to characters using “he,” “she,” “it,” or “they.”

This narrator focuses on the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of only one character. The reader sees the story through the lens of this single character, understanding their internal world but remaining unaware of what other characters are thinking or feeling unless it is revealed through their actions or dialogue.

Examples of third-person limited narration include:

1. “She watched the children play, wondering if her own siblings were having as much fun at home.” (Focus on ‘she’)
2. “He knew he had to make a decision, but fear gripped him tightly.” (Focus on ‘he’)
3. “The old man sighed, wishing for the days when his strength had not failed him.” (Focus on ‘the old man’)

Third-Person Omniscient Point of View

In the third-person omniscient point of view, the narrator is also outside the story and uses “he,” “she,” “it,” or “they.”

However, an omniscient narrator has an all-knowing perspective. This narrator can access the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of all characters in the story. They can also provide background information, describe events happening in multiple places simultaneously, and offer commentary on the story’s themes or characters.

Examples of third-person omniscient narration include:

1. “As Bola walked towards the market, she worried about the price of yams, while her brother, Emeka, at home, was secretly planning a surprise party for her.” (Reveals thoughts of both Bola and Emeka)
2. “The teacher knew that many students found the topic difficult, but little did they know she had a special plan to make it easier for them.” (Reveals thoughts of the teacher and general knowledge about students)
3. “The villagers celebrated the harvest with joy, though the chief, watching from his hut, felt a pang of sadness for the lean years that had passed.” (Reveals feelings of both villagers and the chief)

Effects of Narrative Points of View on Tone and Authenticity

The choice of point of view significantly impacts the tone and authenticity of a narrative. Tone refers to the author’s attitude towards the subject matter, while authenticity relates to how real or believable the story feels to the reader.

Effect on Tone

1. First-Person Point of View: This point of view often creates a personal and intimate tone. The reader feels a direct connection to the narrator, experiencing events through their emotions and biases. The tone can be subjective, reflecting the narrator’s personality, whether it is humorous, cynical, hopeful, or fearful.
2. Third-Person Limited Point of View: This point of view can create a more focused and empathetic tone towards the chosen character. The reader understands the character’s struggles and triumphs deeply, leading to a strong emotional connection. The tone is less subjective than first-person but still filtered through one character’s experience.
3. Third-Person Omniscient Point of View: This point of view allows for a more objective, authoritative, or even detached tone. The narrator can offer a broader perspective, comment on events, and create a sense of grand scale. The tone can be formal, informative, or even philosophical, as the narrator often acts as a guide for the reader.

Effect on Authenticity

1. First-Person Point of View: This point of view can make a story feel highly authentic because it mimics real-life personal accounts. The reader trusts the narrator’s direct experience, even if the narrator is unreliable. The story feels immediate and genuine, as if a real person is sharing their story.
2. Third-Person Limited Point of View: This point of view offers a balance of authenticity. While not as personal as first-person, focusing on one character’s internal world can make their experiences feel very real and relatable. The reader believes in the character’s journey because they are so deeply immersed in it.
3. Third-Person Omniscient Point of View: This point of view can sometimes reduce the sense of immediate authenticity for individual characters, as the narrator’s presence is more noticeable. However, it can create authenticity for the overall world of the story, making it feel complete and well-understood. The narrator’s comprehensive knowledge can make the story’s events and background feel thoroughly researched and believable.

Composing Short Narratives from Different Points of View

Understanding how to use different points of view is a key skill for writers. By changing the point of view, a writer can dramatically alter how a story is perceived.

Activity: Composing a Short Narrative

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Choose a simple scenario: Select a straightforward event or situation. For example, “A student arrives late to school.”
2. Write the scenario in first-person: Imagine you are the student. Describe your thoughts, feelings, and actions using “I.”

   Example: “I woke up late, my heart pounding. I quickly dressed, grabbed my bag, and rushed out the door. I knew I was going to be late for the assembly, and I dreaded facing the principal.”

3. Write the scenario in third-person limited: Choose one character (e.g., the student). Describe their actions and reveal only their thoughts and feelings, using “he” or “she.”

   Example: “She woke up late, her heart pounding. She quickly dressed, grabbed her bag, and rushed out the door. She knew she was going to be late for the assembly, and she dreaded facing the principal.”

4. Write the scenario in third-person omniscient: Describe the actions of all characters involved and reveal the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters.

   Example: “She woke up late, her heart pounding, dreading the principal’s reaction. Meanwhile, the principal, already at the assembly ground, wondered why some students always struggled with punctuality, while her friend, sitting in class, hoped she wouldn’t get into trouble.”

5. Compare the narratives: Observe how the tone and the amount of information available to the reader change with each point of view.