In literature, the term perspective refers to the way in which characters, events, and themes are viewed by the writer. The writer does this to lead the readers to understand the story, and how the story resonates with its audience. By way of manipulating point of view, the authors are able to regulate how much insight and emotional capacity readers experience.
Types of Perspective
There are different types of perspectives used in literature. Each of them brings a different meaning to the literary work. In this section, we will consider each point of view through published examples bearing original excerpts wherever possible.
1- First-Person Perspective
In the first person perspective, the story is narrated by a character using the words ‘I’ or ‘we’, so that the readers can experience the events through their eyes. Alongside this, the perspective brings intimacy and subjectivity, as the narrator’s feelings, biases and limitations shape our view.
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger
Holden Caulfield apprises his own story, which allows the readers to examine his troubled mind:
“If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like…”
Holden’s perspective provides as a insight through which he gives the readers a clear and refined look at what he was thinking and feeling throughout his experiences. Its personal narrative style prompts empathy with readers seeing the world from Holden’s point of view (albeit with his biases and personal reflections).
2- Third-Person Limited Perspective
The third person limited perspective uses a narrator who only knows the ideas and emotions of one character, which are usually referred as ‘he’, ‘she’ or ‘they’. This perspective provides a close look while maintaining some narrative distance.
“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling
The narrative largely revolves around Harry’s perspective:
“Harry had never been to a zoo before. His cupboard under the stairs was hardly a place to read up on animals…”
With the third person limited perspective, the readers experience Harry’s thoughts and feelings. Limited insight into other characters create mystery and suspense, which allow readers to bond closely with Harry, but at a more generalized view on the story’s world.
3- Third-Person Omniscient Perspective
Using the third person omniscient viewpoint, the narrator can tell all characters’ thoughts, motives, history and background. This view gives out a panoramic perspective into the minds of the many characters.
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
The omniscient narrator furnishes deep look into both Elizabeth Bennet’s and Mr. Darcy’s thoughts:
“Elizabeth, as they drove along, watched for the first appearance of Pemberley Woods… Mr. Darcy spoke with affectionate praise of his sister’s performance at the piano.”
The omniscient perspective allows readers to look deeply into the inner workings of both protagonists, which deepens the understanding of their motivations and the social complications. By using this point of view, Austen shows ironies, points out misunderstandings, and makes the characters more comprehended by the readers.
4- Second-Person Perspective
The second person perspective is used to address the reader directly by using ‘you.’ This is a less common and immersive perspective. The readers are placed into the story, and are asked to imagine themselves as part of the narrative.
“Bright Lights, Big City” by Jay McInerney
The narrator speaks directly to the reader:
“You are not the kind of guy who would be at a place like this at this time of the morning…”
In the second person narration, the reader is pulled into the protagonists life, in an immediate way. McInerney’s use of the second person allows him to draw the reader in, by addressing them as “you”, creating a kind of intimacy unlike any other, and making them a part of the character’s experience.
5- Stream of Consciousness Perspective
Stream of consciousness technique shows a character’s continuous flow of thought, usually in an unstructured or fragmented form. This was a perspective into the realm of the mind, the inner working of the mind, which shows thoughts as they happen.
“Mrs. Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf
Clarissa Dalloway’s inner monologue has been presented in a organic flow:
“She would buy the flowers herself. For Lucy had her work cut out for her. The doors would be taken off their hinges…”
Clarissa’s stream of consciousness technique lets the readers step into her mind and feels her thoughts in a real time. This approach recreates the natural thought patterns, which offers a raw, intimate glimpse of her thoughts, memories, and emotions without traditional narrative restrictions.
Importance of Perspective
In literature, perspective is important because it structures the reader’s experience of the story, inflects the tone, and deepens the narrative.
Through introducing different perspectives, the levels of reliability and intimacy shift influence how we interpret the characters’ actions and events in the story.
For example, a first person perspective stimulates empathy and relatability, while an omniscient perspective furnish a more balanced and detailed view.
The authors use perspective to control readers’ emotional responses, suspense, and provide deep look into themes. Without perspective, stories would lack depth and the unique lenses through which we understand characters, conflicts, and resolutions.
See also: Persona in Literature
Related Literary Terms
1- Narrative Voice
The style or tone in which the narrator tells the story is known as the narrative voice. The shape of the story is partly determined by the narrator’s personality, attitude and background and how it influences the manner in which the story is brought and also received.
Example: In “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, the narrative voice is that of Scout Finch (a young girl), who is innocent, and curious, and gives an outlook on complex social issues.
2- Point of View (POV)
Point of View is the vantage point from which the story is told. It encompasses first-person, second-person, and third-person perspectives, determining the level of insight readers have into characters’ minds.
Example: In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the story is told from Nick Carraway’s point of view, a first-person perspective that influences readers’ perception of Gatsby, Daisy, and the opulence of the Jazz Age.
See also: Literary Devices That Start With P
