Extremely Loud and Incredibly Extremely Loud and Incredibly CloseClose

The Book ThiefThe Book Thief

Point of ViewPoint of View

Examining Point of ViewExamining Point of View

Definition—Vantage point from which the Definition—Vantage point from which the writer tells the story.writer tells the story.

Various points of viewsVarious points of views First person narratorFirst person narrator Third person limitedThird person limited Third person omniscientThird person omniscient

First Person First Person

Narrator is a Narrator is a character in the story.character in the story.

Only tells what that Only tells what that particular character particular character knows or thinks.knows or thinks.

All of our information All of our information about the events in about the events in the story come from the story come from this one person.this one person.

Third Person LimitedThird Person Limited

Is outside the story looking Is outside the story looking in.in.

Is limited to what one Is limited to what one character knows or thinks.character knows or thinks.

Narrator zooms in on the Narrator zooms in on the thoughts and feelings of thoughts and feelings of this one character.this one character.

Third Person Omniscient Third Person Omniscient

““all knowing”all knowing” Is outside the story Is outside the story

looking in (not in the looking in (not in the story at all).story at all).

Tells what any Tells what any character knows or character knows or thinks.thinks.

Can tell us the past, Can tell us the past, present, and future of present, and future of all the characters.all the characters.

Your TurnYour Turn

In small groups, examine your narrator(s). In small groups, examine your narrator(s). From what perspective are they telling the From what perspective are they telling the story? How does this impact the story? story? How does this impact the story? What are we able to learn because of the What are we able to learn because of the narrator’s perspective?narrator’s perspective?