SpikeTheLobsterFirst Or Third Person, Part 2
February 21st 2009 19:40
Yesterday, I discussed some of the advantages and disadvantages of writing in the first person ("I") as opposed to the third ("S/He"). Today, we'll look at the third person. In deference to a commenter's request, examples will follow in a third post!
Third-person perspective is advantageous when the scope of a story extends far beyond any single individual. If a group of people is involved and their separate activities must all be followed for the reader to understand (or if the author simply wishes to do things that way), the third person is more effective.
True, first person can also be chosen in the same situation, either switching characters each chapter - extremely difficult to handle and often leading to utter confusion for the reader: who am "I" on this page? - or by having the central character follow important events via the news, radio, interstellar net, magic mirror or some other means.
Of course, in any particular scene or chapter the third-person story is still generally told with more focus on one individual than the others, but this focus can shift between characters at appropriate times. Thus, an author can provide the reader with information of which the primary characters are unaware, advancing the plot in their absence, as it were. Focus can also be shared in some scenes: for example, a fencing duel or a debate can be quite successully recounted in equal parts for the participants, with neither retaining particular focus.
Since the reader views any activity in the story from an outside standpoint, third person writing generally puts less emphasis on characterisation and more on events. It's particularly useful when there's a very complicated story with multiple sub-plots, as these can be almost impossible to follow from behind a single person's eyes.
Suspense can also be managed quite nicely, though the emphasis is often different: in first person, the suspense comes from not knowing what's going on; in third person it tends to come from the main character not knowing what's going on - the reader is given insight and the consequent foreboding of horrors yet unknown to the hero!
The biggest disadvantage of third-person text is the lack of emphasis on characterisation. With events driving the narrative more than individuals, it's a little too easy to ignore the deeper development of personalities and motivations. It can also be tempting to jump between characters too often, which can cause continuity issues or confusion for a reader, especially mid-chapter.
Most authors have a noticeable preference for one style or the other. Though it is a good exercise to try to write in the less comfortable of the two, it's generally a good idea to stick to the one that's familiar until the necessary skills have developed in the other!
| 46 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Teresa Ralton
MRS SMITH
READ THIS
SISTERS IN CRIME
Comment by Spike 2
Wordophilia
Qwerk
Peanut Butter
Comment by Teresa Ralton
MRS SMITH
READ THIS
SISTERS IN CRIME
By the way, I just noticed that you look a bit like Bruce Willis' character in Pulp Fiction. Is that why you're 'Spike'?
Comment by Spike 2
Wordophilia
Qwerk
Peanut Butter
The best analogy I have is of third-person computer games. Most frequently, the viewpoint is behind the player's character. Yes, it's third person but in the same way you're only following one individual. It's close to first person but slightly less personal. In the case of games, it's mostly so the viewpoint is clearer, but in a novel I suppose it can help in the sense that the reader accompanies the hero without actually hearing their thoughts and so on. It's a difficult distinction, isn't it?
The nickname Spike actually comes from having a common name. I've never worked anywhere where I was the only person with the name, so I picked up a nickname. It's also always been my online name (can't remember why - that was about fifteen years ago!). Since my partner likes Brucie a lot, I shall say "thank you" for the compliment, too!