What is POV in Literature?

In literature, POV, or point of view, refers to who is telling a story, or who is narrating it. It determines the perspective from which the story unfolds, influencing how readers perceive events, characters, and themes. The choice of point of view is a fundamental decision for any author, shaping the reader's connection to the narrative and their understanding of the plot.

The narration of a story or novel can be told in three primary ways: first person, second person, and third person. Each type offers a distinct lens through which the narrative is presented.

Understanding the Main Types of Point of View

The narrator acts as a filter, conveying information, emotions, and thoughts to the reader. Different points of view establish varying levels of intimacy and scope within a story.

1. First Person Point of View

The first person point of view places the reader directly inside the mind of a character, who acts as the narrator.

• Characteristics:
  • Uses pronouns like "I," "me," "my," "we," and "us."
  • The reader experiences events through the narrator's eyes.
  • Limited to what the narrator knows, feels, observes, and has been told.
  • Provides a highly personal and subjective account.
• Effect: Creates a strong sense of intimacy and immediacy. Readers gain deep insight into one character's inner world, thoughts, and biases, fostering empathy or distrust depending on the narrator's reliability.
• Examples:
  • "I walked down the street, my heart pounding with anticipation."
  • Many memoirs and autobiographies use this POV, as do novels like The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

2. Second Person Point of View

Second person point of view directly addresses the reader, making "you" the protagonist of the story.

• Characteristics:
  • Uses pronouns like "you" and "your."
  • The narrator speaks directly to the reader, pulling them into the narrative as if they are experiencing the events themselves.
• Effect: Can be highly immersive and interactive, making the reader feel personally involved. However, it is rare in long-form fiction due to its potentially intrusive nature and limited scope for complex character development beyond the "you."
• Examples:
  • "You open the creaky door and step into the dimly lit room. A shiver runs down your spine."
  • Often found in "choose your own adventure" books, instructional manuals, recipes, and some poetry.

3. Third Person Point of View

The third person point of view features an external narrator who is not a character in the story. This is the most common POV in fiction, offering flexibility in how much information is revealed.

• Characteristics:

  • Uses pronouns like "he," "she," "it," "they," and "them."
  • The narrator exists outside the story's events.

• Subtypes of Third Person:

  • Third Person Omniscient:

    • The narrator is all-knowing, possessing a "god-like" perspective.
    • Can access the thoughts and feelings of all characters, and knows past, present, and future events.
    • Effect: Offers a broad, comprehensive view of the story world and its inhabitants, allowing for complex plotlines and multiple character arcs.
    • Example: "John felt a pang of regret as he watched Mary leave, unaware that she, across town, was secretly planning their reconciliation, a smile playing on her lips."

  • Third Person Limited:

    • The narrator focuses on the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of one specific character at a time.
    • While using "he/she/they," the perspective is confined to what that chosen character knows or observes.
    • Effect: Creates a strong connection with a single character, similar to first person, but without the direct "I." It allows for deep character exploration while maintaining a more objective narrative voice.
    • Example: "John felt a pang of regret as he watched Mary leave. He wondered if she would ever truly forgive him for his mistake." (We only know John's thoughts here.)

  • Third Person Objective (or Dramatic):

    • The narrator acts like a camera, reporting only what can be seen and heard.
    • Does not delve into any character's thoughts or feelings.
    • Effect: Creates a detached, impartial tone, leaving readers to infer emotions and motivations based solely on actions and dialogue. Often used for suspense or a sense of realism.
    • Example: "John walked to the door. Mary closed it softly behind him, then turned and walked away." (No internal states are revealed.)

Summary Table of Points of View

Why Point of View Matters

The chosen point of view significantly impacts the storytelling:

• Controlling Information: POV dictates what the reader knows and when. An omniscient narrator can reveal secrets, while a limited one can build suspense through withholding information.
• Shaping Tone and Voice: Each POV lends itself to a distinct narrative voice and tone, influencing the overall mood of the story.
• Building Empathy: First and third-person limited POVs are powerful tools for building reader empathy by allowing deep insight into a character's inner life.
• Authorial Control: Authors strategically select a POV to achieve specific narrative goals, whether it's creating suspense, fostering intimacy, or presenting a broad societal view.

Understanding point of view is crucial for both writers crafting narratives and readers analyzing them, as it is a foundational element that shapes the entire literary experience.