Lecture 17: He, She, It—Third-Person Point of View
Combining Points of View
z Although it may be true that the close third person remains the default
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mix and match the varieties of the third person in surprising and
innovative ways.z Much of the narration of the American detective novelist George
Pelecanos, for instance, is of the recording-eye variety, with detailed
descriptions in spare language of what his characters look like, what they
wear, and what they say and do. But occasionally, his narration varies
from the remote third person to the close third person. Interestingly,
Pelecanos also occasionally allows himself to step in and pass judgment
on his characters.z Such judgments help make it clear that an author doesn’t necessarily
endorse everything his or her protagonist does. You can do this in the
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right out and say what you think.Austen, 3ULGHDQG3UHMXGLFH.
Dickens, %OHDN+RXVH.
Eliot, 0LGGOHPDUFK.
Hammett, 7KH0DOWHVH)DOFRQ.
Hynes, 7KH:LOG&RORQLDO%R\.
Martin, $6RQJRI,FHDQG)LUH.
Pelecanos, 7KH&XW.Suggested Reading