9.3 Narrative inconsistencies and contrasting perspectives

Introduction

Narrator Changes & Inconsistencies

As a refresher: A narrator or speaker in a text refers to the voice that is telling the story or presenting the information. This voice can be the author, a character, or an omniscient observer. 

Effect of Narrative Inconsistencies

• Creating tension and uncertainty: Inconsistencies in a text can create a sense of confusion and uncertainty for the reader, which can be used to build tension and suspense.
• Adding depth to the story: Inconsistencies can also be used to add depth and complexity to a story by introducing multiple perspectives, or by showing different versions of events.
• Creating a sense of realism: Inconsistencies in a text can also create a sense of realism by mimicking the way that people perceive and remember events in real life.
• Enhancing the theme: Inconsistencies in a text can also be used to enhance the themes of the story by showing the different ways in which people can perceive and interpret events.
• Reflecting the narrator's bias: Intentional narrative inconsistencies can also reflect the narrator's bias, emotions and subjectivity; showing how their perspective might affect the way they tell the story.
• Creating a sense of empathy: As the narrator develops, the reader may also develop a sense of empathy with them, which can affect the way they interpret the events and the characters in the story.

Multiple/Contrasting Perspectives

Examples

• "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald: The story is told primarily from the perspective of the narrator, Nick Carraway. Carraway is a first-person narrator and a character in the story. Throughout the novel, the reader is given insight into the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of the various characters through Nick's perspective. Occasionally, the author uses other characters' perspectives to reveal certain parts of the story, such as Gatsby's thoughts and feelings, or other characters' thoughts or feelings on Gatsby.
• "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien: This collection of short stories is told from the perspectives of various soldiers during the Vietnam War.
• "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen: the story is told through using third-person omniscient narrator. The narrator speaks from multiple perspectives, mainly Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist and Mr. Darcy, the antagonist.

Effect of Multiple Perspectives

• Adding complexity and depth to the story by providing different viewpoints and insights into the characters and events.
• Challenging the reader's understanding of the story by presenting multiple versions of the same event or character, forcing the reader to question their own perceptions and biases.
• Creating empathy for the characters by allowing the reader to understand their thoughts and feelings, which can make the characters more relatable and human.
• Creating a sense of subjectivity and relativism, by showing that the truth is not absolute, but rather depends on the perspective of the observer.
• Creating a sense of mystery and uncertainty, by giving the reader only partial information and leaving them to piece together the story and make their own interpretations.

Conclusion