Exploring the Fourth Person Point of View: What It Is and How It Works
Have you ever heard of the fourth person point of view? Commonly known as the “invisible” or “anonymous” viewpoint, fourth person is still a relatively obscure concept in literature and storytelling. In this article, we’ll delve into what it is and how it works.
What is the Fourth Person Point of View?
Simply put, fourth person point of view is an objective viewpoint where the narrator is not a character within the story, nor are they omniscient like a third-person narrator. Instead, the narrator is an observer or witness, relaying the events that unfold without injecting personal biases or commentary.
To give an example, let’s say we’re following a woman walking down a busy city street. In first person, she might say “I walked down the street.” In third person, the narrator might say “She walked down the street.” In fourth person, the narration might go along the lines of “The woman’s steps echoed down the empty street, as the neon lights flickered above her head.”
Why Use Fourth Person Point of View?
Using fourth person point of view can create a unique atmosphere, allowing for deeper immersion and distancing between the characters and the reader. It can also be used to create a sense of mystery or suspense, as the narrator’s identity is not immediately revealed.
Moreover, fourth person can be a powerful tool in experimental or avant-garde storytelling. By dissociating the narrator from the story, writers can explore new ways of presenting events that defy traditional storytelling conventions.
Examples of Fourth Person Point of View
One of the most famous examples of fourth person narration is probably Italo Calvino’s “If on a winter’s night a traveler”. In this novel, the narrator is ostensibly speaking to the reader, endlessly teasing the plot but continually leaving it up to the reader’s imagination.
Another example can be seen in the music video for Radiohead’s “House of Cards”, which was shot using 3D scanning technology and features a point cloud visualisation technique paired with Thom Yorke’s disembodied voice.
Final Thoughts
While the fourth person point of view may not be as commonly used as other narrative styles, it’s definitely worth exploring for writers and readers alike. By providing a different perspective, it can help create new and exciting storytelling opportunities and lead to truly unique and unexpected works.
