Lesson 21. Viewpoint: Who Sees?│The Mechanics of Fiction Writing

Understanding Viewpoint in Narrative

Introduction to Viewpoint

• The lesson focuses on the concept of viewpoint, integrating previous discussions into a clearer understanding.

• Gerard Genette's distinction between narrator and story viewpoint is introduced, emphasizing the question: "Who sees?"

• The term "focalization" is used to describe viewpoint in narrative theory, likening it to a camera lens.

Cognitive Simulation and Reader Experience

• Fiction acts as a cognitive simulation, prompting readers to create visual imagery in their minds.

• Viewpoint encompasses more than visuals; it includes sensations, thoughts, emotions, and desires that shape reader experience.

Fixed vs. Variable Viewpoints

• While viewpoints can shift (especially with non-character narrators), every reader adopts a mental position within the storyworld.

• Authors may control how tightly or loosely they guide readers' simulations of scenes through textual cues.

Analyzing Textual Cues

• A passage from Nabokov’s Lolita illustrates how textual cues direct readers to adopt Humbert's perspective.

• Specific phrases like “I hear myself crying” signal internal perspectives and emotional states of characters.

Internal Viewpoint and Narrative Distance

• Humbert’s narration provides an example of internal viewpoint that goes beyond mere visual description.

Understanding Bilbo's Internal Conflict

Bilbo's Struggle and Empathy

• Bilbo is depicted in a moment of desperation, feeling the need to fight against Gollum, whom he perceives as a threat. His internal struggle is highlighted by his thoughts of violence and survival.

• The narrative cues such as "almost stopped breathing" create an immersive experience for the reader, aligning them closely with Bilbo’s emotional state and viewpoint.

• Tolkien skillfully blends Bilbo’s consciousness into the narration, allowing readers to grasp his thoughts directly. Phrases like “He must stab the foul thing” reflect Bilbo's mindset rather than the narrator's voice.

• The transition from external narration to internal perspective emphasizes empathy; readers feel both pity and horror alongside Bilbo as he grapples with Gollum’s misery.

Shifting Perspectives: Elrond's Insight

• A shift occurs when Elrond examines a map, showcasing how quickly the narrative can move between characters’ perspectives. This scene provides insight into Elrond’s character through his actions and dialogue.

• The description of Elrond gazing at the map introduces visual elements that are unique to him, reinforcing his perspective while still maintaining some distance from Bilbo’s viewpoint.

Narrative Techniques: Internal vs External Viewpoints

Hemingway's Objective Style

• In contrast to Tolkien, Hemingway employs an objective narrative style in "The Killers," where no character's internal thoughts are shared. This creates a detached atmosphere for readers.

• The lack of internal monologue forces readers to observe actions and dialogues without emotional context, making it challenging to adopt any specific character viewpoint initially.

External Viewpoint Dynamics

• Hemingway shifts focus among characters rapidly, preventing readers from settling into one perspective. This technique maintains an external viewpoint throughout much of the story until later developments allow for some character insight.

• Even when Nick Adams becomes more central later on, readers still infer emotions through dialogue rather than direct access to his psyche.

Ursula Le Guin: Broad External Perspective

Vivid Descriptions Without Specific Focus

• Le Guin presents a scene filled with sensory details but lacks directionality in terms of character focus. Readers receive rich imagery without being anchored in any single character’s experience.

Narrative Perspectives and Viewpoints in Storytelling

The Fluidity of Scene Setting

• The narrative presents a scene involving horses, an old woman, and young men without a fixed viewpoint, allowing readers to engage with the story from various angles.

• The narrator creates a series of images that contribute to a fairy-tale-like city, encouraging readers to mentally assemble these elements into their own interpretation of the setting.

• Although Omelas lacks a concrete geographical depiction, the cumulative imagery evokes a vivid sense of place filled with relatable characters.

Types of Viewpoints in Narration

• The concept of "no viewpoint" is introduced alongside hypothetical viewpoints that allow readers to imagine scenes through the lens of non-existent characters.

• Examples illustrate how hypothetical viewpoints can enhance aesthetic elements in storytelling by evoking emotions or creating mystery.

Linguistic Cues for Perspective

• Different narrative choices cue readers into specific perspectives: internal, external, no viewpoint, and hypothetical viewpoints are discussed as tools for engagement.

• Analyzing Humbert's perspective in Lolita, prepositional phrases help establish spatial relationships that guide reader understanding of character positioning.

Subtlety in Language and Perspective

• Demonstrative pronouns and spatial descriptors inform readers about proximity and distance within scenes, shaping their mental visualization.

• Humbert’s distant observation allows readers to infer his thoughts about Lolita while maintaining an appropriate narrative distance.

Mastery Over Narrative Perspective

• Writers need not overthink linguistic details; intuitive writing often aligns with character perspectives naturally.

Verbs of Perception, Cognition, and Emotion

Understanding Character Viewpoint

• The discussion focuses on verbs of perception, cognition, and emotion as crucial indicators of character viewpoint in storytelling.

• Example provided: "Jana could see a look of fear in Brian’s eyes," where the verbs "see" and "pained" emphasize Jana's internal perspective.

• Contrast with an external viewpoint: "Jana watched as Brian made his way to the free throw line," using verbs like "watched" that create a sense of objectivity for the reader.

The Role of Viewpoint in Storytelling

• Key question raised: What is the purpose behind choosing a specific viewpoint? It relates to the story being told.

• Adopting a character-narrator's viewpoint enhances empathy, allowing readers to experience another person's journey deeply.

• External viewpoints provide a broader perspective, making readers feel like invisible witnesses alongside characters.

Blending Viewpoints for Narrative Depth

• Most fiction employs a mix of viewpoints; varying distance and description enriches narrative complexity.

• With character-narrators, readers access their thoughts but not those of other characters, creating distance in understanding others' emotions.

Consistency and Clarity in Narration

• Importance of maintaining consistency in viewpoint choices; clarity helps convey scenes effectively without overwhelming details.

• Writers should visualize scenes clearly; this aids communication with readers even if they don't focus on every detail.

Managing Perspective Throughout the Story