A narrator is the voice that conveys a story to the audience. They can be a character within the story or an outside observer. The level of their involvement impacts how much they can reveal to the audience. This separation between the narrator and their perspective provides readers with a deeper understanding of the characters and their different viewpoints.
Let's examine the opening lines of "Iron Man 3" to illustrate the concept of a narrator: "A wise man once said, 'We make our own demons.' Who said that, what does it mean? It doesn't matter. I said it because he said it." In this instance, the narrator is a fictional speaker who serves the purpose of the story. Their opinions and beliefs may differ from the author's. To categorize the types of narrators, readers must determine their level of involvement, similar to the narrative point of view.
The three main types of narrators are first, second, and third-person. These narrators have varying perspectives on the story, which can be identified by the pronouns used to refer to themselves and others.
A reliable narrator is one whose storytelling can be trusted as accurate and unbiased. The reader believes this narrator because they present a straightforward and credible account of events. In contrast, an unreliable narrator may distort the story or have a biased interpretation. This type of narrator deviates from the 'true' account and may even have conflicting views with the author.
It's important to note that an unreliable narrator is not necessarily someone who intentionally deceives the audience. For example, unintentionally giving incorrect information to a friend or classmate is a relatable situation.
A famous example of an unreliable narrator is the teenage narrator in Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". Due to their inexperience, they don't fully understand the significance of the events they're describing.
Another well-known example is Chuck Palahnuik's "Fight Club", which was later adapted into a film in 1999. The audience follows the thoughts and explanations of the main character through voice-over narration, who becomes involved with a character named Tyler Durden. However, the shocking reveal that Tyler Durden is a figment of the narrator's imagination causes the audience to question the reliability of the entire story.
An intrusive narrator is one who reports, comments, and evaluates the characters' actions and motivations. They often have distinct personalities and can appear in first or third-person omniscient narratives. They offer an authoritative opinion on the story but also 'intrude' by providing insights into the characters' thoughts and feelings.
For example, in George Eliot's "Middlemarch", the intrusive omniscient narrator reflects on a character's personality and offers readers a deeper understanding of their mindset:
This type of narrator can significantly impact the audience's perception of the story by providing moral commentary throughout.
Narrators play a vital role in shaping a novel and how its story is told. While some narrators simply tell the story, others can be more intrusive and self-aware, creating a unique reading experience.
Narrators are an essential aspect of any story, as they serve as the medium through which the narrative unfolds. There are different types of narrators, each with unique characteristics that can significantly influence the storytelling. In this article, we will delve deeper into the various narrators and how they shape the narrative.
Intrusive narrators, such as the one portrayed in Eliot's work, have a strong presence in the novel and do not allow the story to speak for itself. These narrators often have access to the characters' thoughts and feelings, blurring the lines of omniscience. By drawing attention to the artifice of the story, they add a metafictional layer to the narrative. Techniques like foregrounding and defamiliarization are used to expose the contrasts between fiction and reality. EL Doctorow's novel, The Book of Daniel (1971), is an example of an intrusive narrator, where the protagonist switches between first and third-person points of view, acknowledging the presence of an implied audience.
A subjective narrator sees events through the eyes of a character, with limited knowledge of what is happening. This type of narrator can be in the first or second person or in a third-person limited form. On the other hand, an objective narrator is an external observer who does not have access to the characters' thoughts, except when speculating on them. They do not interfere with the story and simply report, comment, and interpret events. Although they may still be considered intrusive, they are not as involved in the characters' lives as a subjective narrator would be.
Think of well-known narrators in movies and television, such as Morgan Freeman, Patrick Stewart, David Attenborough, and Cate Blanchett. What sets them apart as narrators? Does their presence make you more interested in the film?
It is essential to distinguish between the narrator and the narrative point of view. The narrator is the imagined "voice" telling the story, while the narrative point of view refers to how much the narrator knows and how it affects the storytelling. The following table provides a clearer understanding:
In summary, the narrator is a crucial element in a novel that significantly impacts the reader's experience. The type of narrator chosen by the author determines the degree of participation in the story, leading to either a reliable or unreliable account. An intrusive or self-conscious narrator can add a metafictional layer to the story, while a subjective or objective narrator offers different perspectives on events. This interplay between the narrator and the narrative point of view plays a critical role in shaping the overall narrative.
In literature, the narrator plays a crucial role in telling the story and shaping the reader's experience. Depending on the type of narrator used, the story can take on different tones, perspectives, and levels of credibility. Let's explore the different types of narrators and their unique characteristics.
The first type of narrator is the first-person narrator, also known as the "I" narrator. As a character within the story, they share their personal thoughts and experiences, making their account subjective. This type of narrator creates a sense of intimacy and allows the reader to see the story through their eyes.
Less common is the second-person narrator, which addresses the reader as "you." This creates a more interactive and immersive reading experience, as if the story is happening directly to the reader.
The most common type of narrator is the third-person narrator. As an external observer, they tell the story from an outsider's point of view and use pronouns such as "he," "she," or the characters' names. This allows for a wider perspective on the events and characters.
Next, we have objective and subjective narrators, which refer to the level of involvement of the narrator in the story. An objective narrator simply reports the events and actions without revealing any character's thoughts or feelings. In contrast, a subjective narrator is more involved and offers their interpretation of events and characters.
The intrusive and self-conscious narrator refer to the narrator's level of awareness in the story. An intrusive narrator interrupts the story to provide comments or their own thoughts, while a self-conscious narrator is aware of their role as the narrator and may even directly address the reader.
Lastly, we have the reliable and unreliable narrator. As the names suggest, a reliable narrator is trustworthy and provides an accurate account of events. However, an unreliable narrator may distort the truth or their perceptions due to their biases or mental state.
Now, you may be wondering if a narrator is always a character in the story. The answer is no. While in most cases, the narrator is a character, their level of involvement and participation in the narrative is determined by their point of view.
Understanding the different types of narrators is crucial for both writers and readers. It can greatly influence the tone, perspective, and credibility of a story. So next time you pick up a book, pay attention to the narrator and how they shape the story. You may be surprised by the impact they have on your reading experience.
