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Difficulty: HardNarrative Techniques and Point of View

Read the passage below carefully:

"We all watched in silence as Chief Adeleke entered the town hall, his hands trembling slightly as he adjusted his embroidered agbada. Although I sat far back near the shuttered windows, I could see the sweat glistening on his forehead and felt certain the council's verdict would ruin him. He looked directly at the assembly, cleared his throat, and declared, 'I have nothing to hide.' Yet everyone in the room sensed the dread behind his steady voice."

Which narrative point of view is primarily employed in the passage above?

  1. First-person peripheral perspectiveAnswer
  2. B
    Third-person limited perspective
  3. C
    First-person central perspective
  4. D
    Third-person omniscient perspective

Answer

First-person peripheral perspective
The passage is told from a first-person peripheral perspective because the narrator explicitly refers to themselves using first-person pronouns ('We', 'I') while remaining a secondary observer who narrates events centered on Chief Adeleke.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the pronouns used by the voice telling the story.
The narrative features pronouns such as 'We' and 'I' ('Although I sat far back...'), establishing a first-person point of view.
Determining whether the narrator speaks in the first, second, or third person is the first step in identifying point of view.
2
Analyze the focalization and role of the narrator within the narrative scene.
The narrator is reporting on the actions, appearance, and dialogue of Chief Adeleke rather than driving the central action or being the main subject of conflict.
Distinguishing between a protagonist narrator (central) and an observer narrator (peripheral) depends on who the story centers around.
3
Synthesize the pronoun evidence and narrator role to determine the precise point of view.
The passage uses a first-person peripheral (observer) point of view.
A first-person peripheral narrator participates in or witnesses the scene while relaying events focused on another central character.

Key Concept

Narrative Point of View and Focalization
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Narrative Techniques and Point of View

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