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Difficulty: MediumNarrative Technique and Point of View

Read the prose excerpt below:

'I watched Uncle Demola count the crisp bank notes twice before handing them over to the produce buyer. My mind flashed back to two years ago when he could barely afford a single meal, yet here he was, negotiating with the confidence of a seasoned trader. He turned to me with a conspiratorial wink, but I knew the secret behind his sudden wealth that he would never admit to the villagers.'

Which of the following best describes the narrative technique and point of view used in this excerpt?

  1. First-person perspective that offers subjective, insider commentary on events and charactersAnswer
  2. B
    Third-person omniscient perspective that reveals the secret thoughts of all characters equally
  3. C
    Third-person limited perspective focused exclusively on Uncle Demola's external behavior
  4. D
    Second-person narrative technique that directly addresses the reader as a participant

Answer

First-person perspective that offers subjective, insider commentary on events and characters
The correct answer identifies the first-person perspective because the excerpt uses 'I' and 'My' to relay events. The narrator is an active participant in the scene who shares internal recollections and secret knowledge about Uncle Demola, providing a distinctly subjective insider view.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary pronouns used by the narrator to deliver the passage.
Pronouns such as 'I' ('I watched', 'I knew') and 'My' ('My mind') are consistently used.
The choice of pronouns indicates whether the narrator is inside the story (first-person) or outside (third-person).
2
Analyze the scope of information and internal access available to the narrator.
The narrator shares internal reflections ('flashed back') and unexpressed observations ('I knew the secret... that he would never admit').
This establishes that the point of view is subjective and participant-driven, giving the reader access to the narrator's private knowledge and memories rather than objective or all-knowing third-person insight.
3
Match the identified features with the correct narrative point of view description.
The technique is a first-person perspective providing subjective, insider commentary.
First-person narration allows the speaker to serve both as an observer of external actions and a commentator with personal insight.

Key Concept

First-Person Narrative Point of View
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Topics

Narrative Technique and Point of View

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