Understanding Third Person Limited Point of View: Definition and Examples
Writing a story is an art that requires mastery of the craft’s different elements. Storytellers have to make choices on elements such as plot, setting, and characters to create a captivating story. Among these elements, point of view is crucial to the success of a story. The point of view is the perspective from which the story is told, and it dictates the reader’s experience.
One of the most common points of view used in literature is third person. In this article, we will delve deeper into third person limited point of view with a definition and examples to help you better understand this crucial aspect of storytelling.
Definition: What is Third Person Limited Point of View?
Third person limited point of view is a narrative technique in which the story is told from an outside perspective. The narrator is not a character in the story but is watching and reporting events from an objective standpoint. The narrator can be insightful and omniscient in what’s happening in the story, but their analysis must come from the outside perspective. The limited aspect means that the perspective allows the reader to experience only one character’s thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.
All third person narratives have varying degrees of omniscience, ranging from the narrator who knows everything happening in the story to the narrator who sees the same events and understands no more than the reader. In contrast, the third person limited point of view only allows one character’s thoughts and emotions.
Examples of Third Person Limited Point of View in Literature
One famous example of the third person limited point of view is from the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling uses this point of view to provide an outside view of Harry’s life without being limited to only Harry’s experiences. In the book “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the reader gets a glimpse of Harry’s thoughts and feelings but is not limited to those perspectives.
Another example can be found in the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. The book is told in the third person, but the narrative closely follows the thoughts and actions of the young protagonist Scout. The narrator provides insight into Scout’s thoughts and prejudices, but the reader is only granted her limited viewpoint.
Advantages of Third Person Limited Point of View
There are several advantages to using third person limited point of view in literature. One of the main advantages is that it allows for a greater sense of intimacy with the character and the story. Readers get to experience and understand the story’s characters as if they were seeing the world through their eyes without being completely limited to their perspectives.
Additionally, third person limited point of view provides insight, depth, and understanding of a character’s personality and motivations. This point of view allows authors to provide insights into a character’s thoughts and feelings while still maintaining a degree of objectivity and distance that is particularly useful in a character-driven plot. By understanding a character’s motivations, readers can better relate to them and become invested in their story.
Limitations of Third Person Limited Point of View
While there are advantages to using third person limited point of view, there are also limitations to consider. The primary limitation is that the storytelling will be limited to one character’s perspective, making it challenging to show other character’s viewpoints and experiences. Since the narrator is not omniscient, the reader cannot know everything that is happening in the story.
Additionally, third person limited point of view can make it challenging to maintain a sense of objectivity in the story while also providing the character’s perspective. A balance between the two is critical to prevent the story from becoming too partial, or the characters too unreliable.
Conclusion
The third person limited point of view is essential to storytelling and allows the reader to experience the story’s world through a character’s perspective. It provides insights into a character’s motivations and personality while maintaining a degree of objectivity. While there are limitations to consider, the benefits outweigh the possible drawbacks, making third person limited an excellent choice for your next writing project. So go out there and craft an amazing story!
