How is point of view used as a narrative technique?
Point of view is a narrative technique used to determine the perspective from which a story is told. It plays a crucial role in shaping the overall narrative by influencing the way readers perceive and interpret events, characters, and the world of the story. Here are some ways in which point of view is used as a narrative technique:
1. Perspective and Bias: Point of view allows the storyteller to present events through the lens of a particular character's perspective. This perspective can be subjective, colored by the character's emotions, opinions, and biases. By using a specific point of view, the author can manipulate the reader's understanding of the story, emphasizing certain details and downplaying others to shape their interpretation.
2. Character Development: Point of view enables readers to gain insight into a character's thoughts, feelings, and motivations. By experiencing events from a character's perspective, readers can develop a deeper understanding of their personality, beliefs, and inner conflicts. This technique helps create well-rounded and relatable characters by revealing their thoughts and emotions.
3. Unreliable Narrators: Point of view can be used to create unreliable narrators - characters whose perceptions or interpretations of events are flawed or misleading. Unreliable narrators can add intrigue and complexity to the story, forcing readers to question the authenticity of the narrative and search for hidden truths.
4. Empathy and Emotional Connection: By using a specific point of view, authors can create empathy and emotional connection between readers and characters. Readers can relate to the thoughts, emotions, and struggles of characters, and this emotional engagement enhances the impact of the story.
5. Multiple Perspectives: Some narratives employ multiple points of view, allowing readers to experience events from different characters' viewpoints. This technique provides a broader understanding of the story, as it highlights contrasting perspectives and reveals varying motivations and intentions.
6. Narrative Distance: Point of view can also determine the narrative distance or closeness between readers and the characters. First-person point of view tends to create a closer connection, as readers experience events through the narrator's eyes. On the other hand, third-person point of view can offer a more objective and distant perspective, allowing readers to observe the story from an outsider's viewpoint.
Overall, point of view is a powerful narrative technique that shapes the reader's understanding of the story, influences their perception of characters and events, and enhances their emotional engagement and connection with the narrative.