EL NARRADOR (tipos y ejemplos en literatura, cine y series)

Understanding the Narrator in Literature

Difference Between Author and Narrator

• The author is the physical person who writes a text, while the narrator is a voice created by the author to tell a story.

• Narrators are classified based on grammatical person (singular or plural) and their role within or outside the narrative.

First Person Narrator

• The first-person narrator uses "I" and can be a protagonist, sharing their own story directly with readers. This creates intimacy as they reveal thoughts and feelings.

• However, this perspective limits knowledge to what the narrator knows, leading to potential doubts about the truth of their account. An example is Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart."

• A first-person narrator can also be a witness, recounting events they observed without being central to them, as seen in Silvina Ocampo's "Casi el reflejo de la otra."

Second Person Narrator

• The second-person narrator employs "you," positioning the reader as the protagonist; an example includes interactive stories like "Choose Your Own Adventure."

• Another literary instance is Juan Sasturain's "Subjuntivo," which engages readers directly in its narrative.

Third Person Narrator

Observer Narrator

• The third-person observer narrates events without entering characters' minds, akin to a security camera recording actions objectively; Gustave Flaubert’s "Madame Bovary" exemplifies this style.

Omniscient Narrator

• The omniscient narrator knows everything about all characters and events, allowing for deep exploration of multiple perspectives; Mario Benedetti’s “El Otro Yo” illustrates this type well.

Equiscient Narrator

Narrative Techniques in Storytelling

Exploring Character Perspectives

• The narrative reveals the inner thoughts of a husband while primarily focusing on the character with whom readers can empathize, highlighting the complexity of character development.

• The discussion references George Martin's "Game of Thrones," illustrating how each chapter is narrated from an omniscient perspective that follows different characters, enhancing the depth of storytelling.

Shifts in Narrative Voice

• In Silvina Ocampo's story, there is a transition from a first-person witness narrator to an omniscient third-person narrator, before returning to the initial first-person perspective at the end, showcasing varied narrative techniques.