Point of View

Definition

Point of view refers to the perspective from which a story is narrated, influencing how readers perceive characters, events, and themes. It determines the level of insight into characters' thoughts and feelings and shapes the reader's connection to the narrative. Different points of view, such as first-person or third-person, create varied emotional impacts and can manipulate reader bias regarding characters and situations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In 'Oroonoko', Aphra Behn uses a first-person perspective that allows readers to connect with the protagonist's emotions and experiences directly.
2. The point of view in 'Oroonoko' reflects Behn's own experiences as a woman and a writer in a male-dominated society, adding layers to her narrative.
3. Behn’s choice of point of view serves to humanize Oroonoko, contrasting his nobility with the cruelty he faces, making his suffering more poignant.
4. The narrative's perspective impacts how readers perceive issues of race, colonialism, and morality within the story.
5. The interplay between narrator and subject creates a complex dynamic that challenges readers to question biases and assumptions about both Oroonoko and his captors.

Review Questions

• How does Aphra Behn's choice of first-person narration in 'Oroonoko' impact the reader's connection to the protagonist?
  • By using first-person narration, Behn invites readers into her personal reflections on Oroonoko's life, allowing for an intimate understanding of his emotions and struggles. This perspective enhances empathy toward Oroonoko and encourages readers to see him not just as a character but as a tragic figure facing immense injustice. The personal tone creates a strong bond between the reader and Oroonoko, emphasizing his humanity amidst the brutal realities he endures.
• In what ways does the point of view in 'Oroonoko' shape the themes of colonialism and race within the narrative?
  • The first-person perspective in 'Oroonoko' allows Behn to convey her observations on colonialism through her direct experiences, offering a unique lens on racial dynamics. The narrator's insights highlight Oroonoko's noble traits, challenging stereotypical views of African individuals during that time. This perspective serves to critique colonial attitudes while also illustrating the complexities of race relations in the context of slavery, revealing deeper moral questions about power and oppression.
• Evaluate how the use of point of view in 'Oroonoko' influences the overall narrative structure and reader interpretation.
  • The choice of point of view in 'Oroonoko' is crucial for shaping both narrative structure and reader interpretation. By presenting events through a first-person lens, Behn creates a subjective reality that colors every event with personal emotion and bias. This approach compels readers to actively engage with the text, forming their interpretations based on the narrator’s insights while grappling with the inherent biases present in her perspective. Ultimately, this influences how themes are perceived and emphasizes the emotional stakes of Oroonoko’s plight against colonial exploitation.

Related terms

First-Person Narration: A narrative style where the story is told from the perspective of a character within the story, using 'I' or 'we,' allowing deep insight into that character's thoughts and emotions.

Third-Person Omniscient: A narrative perspective where the narrator knows all thoughts and feelings of every character, offering a comprehensive view of the story's events and dynamics.

Unreliable Narrator: A narrator whose credibility is compromised, leading to a distorted or misleading interpretation of events, often creating tension between perception and reality.