Narrator
Literary term · say it NAR-ay-ter
A narrator is the teller of a story, whether a character taking part in events or a voice outside them. The narrator’s knowledge, opinions, and limits shape what readers learn and how they understand the characters.
Two common kinds of narrator
A narrator inside the story
This narrator is a character who tells events they experience or witness. Their account is usually limited by what they know, notice, and understand.
In Jane Eyre, Jane tells of her childhood punishment in the red-room, describing her fear from her own perspective.
In Jane Eyre: An Autobiography by Charlotte Brontë
A narrator outside the story
This narrator does not take part as a character. They may follow one character closely or know the thoughts and feelings of several.
In Pride and Prejudice, the narrator reveals Darcy’s growing admiration for Elizabeth while Elizabeth remains unaware of it.
In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
How to spot a narrator
- Identify who tells the events rather than who speaks in dialogue.
- Check whether the teller takes part in the story.
- Notice whose thoughts the teller can reveal.
What is the difference between a narrator and an author?
The author is the real person who wrote the book; the narrator is the teller within it. A narrator’s opinions, knowledge, and character need not match the author’s, even when the account feels personal.
Can a story have more than one narrator?
Yes, a story can have several narrators who tell different parts or offer different accounts of the same events. In some novels, chapters or letters pass the telling from one character to another, allowing readers to compare their knowledge and judgments.
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