Third Person Point Of View Examples

The third-person point of view offers a versatile lens through which writers can tell captivating stories. It allows authors to step outside the narrative and observe characters and events with varying degrees of objectivity or insight. This perspective provides flexibility in storytelling, enabling writers to explore multiple characters and settings while maintaining a distance that can create suspense, mystery, or a broader understanding of the narrative's themes.

Understanding Third-Person Point of View

The third-person point of view is characterized by the use of pronouns such as he, she, it, and they to refer to the characters. Unlike the first-person perspective, where the narrator is a character within the story (I, me, my), or the second-person perspective, which directly addresses the reader (you), the third-person perspective presents the story through an external narrator. This narrator can be omniscient, knowing everything about all characters and events, or limited, focusing on the thoughts and experiences of a single character or a select few.

Types of Third-Person Point of View

• Third-Person Omniscient: This is the "god-like" perspective where the narrator knows everything about all characters, events, and settings in the story. The narrator can delve into the thoughts and feelings of any character, move freely through time and space, and provide commentary or insights that the characters themselves might not be aware of.
• Third-Person Limited: In this perspective, the narrator's knowledge is limited to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of a single character. The reader experiences the story through that character's eyes, gaining insight into their internal world but remaining unaware of what other characters are thinking or feeling unless it is explicitly revealed through dialogue or actions.
• Third-Person Objective: Also known as the "camera view," this perspective presents the story without delving into the thoughts or feelings of any character. The narrator only describes what can be seen and heard, like a camera recording events. This approach creates a sense of detachment and objectivity, leaving the reader to interpret the characters' motivations and emotions based solely on their actions and dialogue.

Examples of Third-Person Omniscient

The third-person omniscient point of view provides authors with the broadest scope to tell their stories. Here are some notable examples:

• "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen: Austen's narrative freely moves between the perspectives of various characters, offering insights into their thoughts, motivations, and social contexts. For example, the narrator might reveal Elizabeth Bennet's sharp wit and independent spirit while simultaneously exposing Mr. Darcy's pride and internal struggles. This allows the reader to understand the complexities of their relationship and the societal pressures that influence their choices.

  "Elizabeth had soon observed, that while Darcy was attending to her sister, she was herself closely watched by him. Jane's beauty, he had said, was unreal, and she could easily perceive that he admired her much more than any other lady in the assembly. But even her vanity was not gratified by this preference, and lately she had been flinging a ridicule on his manners before many people."

  In this passage, the narrator reveals Elizabeth's observations and Darcy's admiration, providing context and insight beyond what Elizabeth herself could know.

• "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott: Alcott's classic novel follows the lives of the March sisters, and the omniscient narrator provides insights into each sister's dreams, struggles, and personal growth. The narrator can shift focus from Jo's literary ambitions to Meg's desire for a family, offering a comprehensive view of their individual journeys and the bonds that unite them.

  "Jo was the first to wake in the gray dawn of Christmas morning. No stockings hung at the fireplace, and for a moment she felt as much disappointed as she did when she found out that there was no Santa Claus. Then she remembered her mother's promise and, slipping her hand under her pillow, drew out a little crimson-covered book."

  Here, the narrator shares Jo's initial disappointment and her subsequent discovery of the book, revealing her inner thoughts and feelings.

• "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy: Tolstoy's epic novel employs an omniscient narrator to explore the lives of numerous characters against the backdrop of historical events. The narrator delves into the minds of aristocrats, soldiers, and peasants, offering a panoramic view of Russian society during the Napoleonic era. This allows Tolstoy to explore themes of love, war, and the search for meaning in a vast and complex world.

  "Pierre was right when he concluded that it was impossible to communicate one's experience to another person, because the experience of each person is unique. And yet he felt that it was necessary to tell about his experience."

  This passage illustrates the narrator's ability to convey Pierre's internal thoughts and philosophical reflections, providing a deeper understanding of his character.

Examples of Third-Person Limited

The third-person limited point of view offers a more intimate perspective, focusing on the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of a single character. Here are some compelling examples:

• "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling: While the series evolves, the early books are primarily told from Harry's perspective. The reader experiences the magical world through Harry's eyes, sharing his wonder, confusion, and growing understanding of his own identity and destiny. We only know what Harry knows, creating a sense of suspense and anticipation as he uncovers the secrets of Hogwarts and his own past.

  "Harry had never expected to see anything quite as strange as this. First, there was a fat man in a frock coat, fast asleep on a park bench. Then there was a cat reading a map. And then..."

  This passage shows how the reader is limited to Harry's perspective, experiencing the strangeness of the scene as he does.

• "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins: The narrative is tightly focused on Katniss Everdeen's experiences and thoughts. The reader is immersed in her struggle for survival, her complex relationships, and her growing awareness of the political forces at play in Panem. This limited perspective allows the reader to empathize with Katniss's plight and experience the emotional intensity of the Games firsthand.

  "When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim's warmth, but find nothing. It must be very early, because the Capitol is quiet. Perhaps Prim is still asleep. I get out of bed and slip on my hunting boots."

  The reader is immediately grounded in Katniss's perspective, experiencing her morning routine and her concern for her sister.

• "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway: The story is told entirely from Santiago's perspective, a Cuban fisherman struggling to catch a giant marlin. The reader is privy to his thoughts, his memories, and his determination as he battles the fish. This limited perspective creates a sense of intimacy and allows the reader to appreciate Santiago's resilience and connection to the sea.

  "He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish. In the first forty days a boy had been with him. But after forty days without a fish the boy's parents had told him that the old man was now definitely and finally unlucky, and the boy had gone at their orders in another boat which caught three good fish the first week."

  The passage introduces Santiago and his situation, focusing on his experience and the events that have led to his current state.

Examples of Third-Person Objective

The third-person objective point of view presents the story as a neutral observer, without delving into the characters' thoughts or feelings. Here are some examples:

• "The Killers" by Ernest Hemingway: Hemingway's short story presents a stark and detached account of two hitmen arriving in a small town. The narrator describes their actions and dialogue without offering any insight into their motivations or emotions. This creates a sense of unease and suspense, leaving the reader to infer the characters' intentions and the impending violence.

  "The door of Henry's lunch-room opened and two men came in. They sat down at the counter.

  'What's yours?' George asked them.

  'I don't know,' one of the men said. 'What do you want to eat, Al?'

  'I don't know,' said Al. 'I don't care what I eat.'"

  The passage is purely descriptive, focusing on the actions and dialogue of the characters without revealing their inner thoughts.

• "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway: Another example of Hemingway's objective style, this story depicts a conversation between a man and a woman at a train station in Spain. The dialogue hints at a sensitive topic, but the narrator refrains from explicitly stating what they are discussing. This forces the reader to pay close attention to the nuances of their conversation and interpret their underlying emotions.

  "The American and the girl with him sat at a table in the shade, outside the station. It was very hot and the express from Barcelona would come in forty minutes. It stopped at this junction for two minutes and went on to Madrid.

  'What should we drink?' the girl asked. She had taken off her hat and put it on the table."

  The passage provides a setting and introduces the characters, but it offers no insight into their thoughts or feelings.

• Film Screenplays: Many film screenplays utilize an objective perspective to describe the action and setting without delving into the characters' inner thoughts. This allows the director and actors to interpret the characters' emotions and motivations through their performances.

  EXT. PARK - DAY

  A young woman, ANNA, sits on a bench, reading a book. A man, MARK, approaches her.

  MARK

  Mind if I sit here?

  The screenplay provides a visual description of the scene and the characters' actions, but it does not reveal their thoughts or feelings.

Choosing the Right Point of View

Selecting the appropriate point of view is crucial for effective storytelling. The choice depends on the author's goals, the nature of the story, and the desired effect on the reader.

• Third-Person Omniscient: Best suited for stories with multiple characters and complex plots, where the author wants to provide a broad understanding of the narrative and explore multiple perspectives.
• Third-Person Limited: Ideal for creating a close connection between the reader and a specific character, allowing the reader to experience the story through that character's eyes and develop empathy for their struggles.
• Third-Person Objective: Effective for creating a sense of detachment, suspense, or realism, leaving the reader to interpret the characters' motivations and emotions based solely on their actions and dialogue.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Each type of third-person point of view offers distinct advantages and disadvantages:

Third-Person Omniscient

• Advantages:
  • Provides a broad scope and allows the author to explore multiple perspectives.
  • Offers flexibility in storytelling and the ability to reveal information strategically.
  • Allows for commentary and insights that the characters themselves might not be aware of.
• Disadvantages:
  • Can create a sense of distance between the reader and the characters.
  • May dilute the emotional impact of the story.
  • Requires careful management to avoid confusion or information overload.

Third-Person Limited

• Advantages:
  • Creates a close connection between the reader and the focal character.
  • Allows for a deeper exploration of the character's thoughts and feelings.
  • Enhances the emotional impact of the story.
• Disadvantages:
  • Limits the reader's knowledge to the perspective of a single character.
  • May create a biased or incomplete view of the story.
  • Requires careful management to avoid plot holes or inconsistencies.

Third-Person Objective

• Advantages:
  • Creates a sense of detachment and objectivity.
  • Allows the reader to interpret the characters' motivations and emotions independently.
  • Enhances suspense and mystery.
• Disadvantages:
  • Can create a cold or unengaging narrative.
  • May leave the reader feeling disconnected from the characters.
  • Requires careful attention to detail to convey emotions and motivations through actions and dialogue.

Tips for Writing in Third-Person

• Maintain Consistency: Choose a point of view and stick to it throughout the story. Avoid shifting between perspectives unless it is a deliberate and well-executed technique.
• Use Descriptive Language: Bring the story to life with vivid descriptions of the characters, settings, and events.
• Show, Don't Tell: Instead of explicitly stating the characters' emotions, reveal them through their actions, dialogue, and body language.
• Vary Sentence Structure: Use a variety of sentence lengths and structures to create a natural and engaging rhythm.
• Read Widely: Study the works of authors who have mastered the third-person point of view and learn from their techniques.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Head-Hopping: Shifting between the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters within the same scene, which can confuse the reader.
• Inconsistent Point of View: Accidentally slipping into a different point of view, such as first-person or second-person.
• Over-Reliance on Exposition: Telling the reader too much information instead of showing it through the characters' actions and dialogue.
• Lack of Voice: Failing to develop a distinct narrative voice that reflects the tone and style of the story.
• Information Dump: Overloading the reader with too much information at once, which can slow down the pace of the story.

Conclusion

The third-person point of view is a powerful tool for storytelling, offering a range of options to suit different narrative styles and goals. Whether you choose the broad scope of omniscient, the intimacy of limited, or the detachment of objective, understanding the nuances of each perspective will help you craft compelling and engaging stories that resonate with your readers. By studying examples of successful third-person narratives and avoiding common mistakes, you can master this versatile point of view and unlock its full potential.