#AP English Literature: Narrator and Point of View Study Guide

Hey there, future AP Lit superstar! 👋 Ready to dive into the world of narrators and points of view? This guide is your go-to resource for mastering these crucial concepts, especially if you're reviewing the night before the exam. Let's make sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace it!

Jump to Narrator Basics
Jump to Point of View
Jump to Influence of Narrator/Speaker
Jump to Influence of POV
Jump to Test Yourself Answer
Jump to Final Exam Focus
Jump to Practice Questions

#Narrator Basics 🗣️

Let's start with the fundamentals. What exactly is a narrator, and how is it different from a speaker or the author?

• Narrator: The voice telling the story in a narrative. Think of them as the storyteller. They can be a character within the story or an external voice.

• Speaker: The voice in a poem or song. They express thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

• Author: The person who creates the work. Remember, the narrator/speaker is NOT always the author! They are often fictional characters created by the author.

#What is Point of View? 🧐

Point of View (POV) is the angle from which the story is told. It shapes how much access we have to characters' thoughts and feelings. Here are the main types:

• First-Person: Uses "I" and "me." We see the story through the narrator's eyes.
• Second-Person: Uses "you" and "your," making the reader a character. (Rare, but good to know!)
• Third-Person: Uses "he," "she," "it," and "they." More objective, like an outsider looking in.

  • Omniscient: The narrator knows everything about all characters. They can jump between different characters' perspectives.

#Influence of Narrator/Speaker 🎭

The narrator or speaker is not just a voice; they actively shape our understanding of the story.

• Relationship with the Reader: They establish a connection, drawing us into the story. A relatable narrator makes us more invested; an unreliable one creates tension.

• Perspective & Bias: Narrators, especially characters, have their own biases. Be aware of how their position affects their storytelling. 💡

• Tone: The narrator's voice sets the tone of the story (serious, humorous, ironic, etc.).

#Influence of POV 👓

POV dictates what the narrator can share with us. It controls the flow of information and creates different reading experiences.

• First-Person: Intimate and immediate. We're inside the narrator's head. Example: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

• Third-Person: Objective and detached. We see the bigger picture. Example: 1984 by George Orwell.

#Answer to Test Yourself Exercise 📝

Let's review the "Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe:

• Narrator: Unnamed, first-person narrator (also the protagonist). Obsessed with an old man's eye, ultimately confesses to murder.

• POV: First-person limited. We only know the narrator's thoughts and feelings.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

Alright, let's zero in on what's most important for the exam:

• High-Priority Topics:

  • Identifying narrators and speakers.
  • Analyzing the impact of POV on the reader's understanding.
  • Understanding how narrator bias shapes the story.
  • Recognizing different types of narrators (reliable vs. unreliable).

• Common Question Types:

  • Multiple Choice: Identifying POV, analyzing narrator bias, understanding the impact of speaker/narrator on the text.
  • Free Response Questions (FRQs): Analyzing how the narrator or speaker contributes to the meaning of a text, often requiring you to discuss the author's choices.

• Last-Minute Tips:

  • Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. Move on if you're stuck and come back later.

  • Common Pitfalls: Avoid plot summary. Focus on analysis and interpretation.

  • Strategies for Challenging Questions: Read the questions carefully, underline key words, and plan your response before writing.

Narrator and POV are fundamental to understanding any text. Master these concepts, and you'll be well-prepared for the exam!

#Practice Questions ✍️

Time to put your knowledge to the test! Here are some practice questions to get you exam-ready.

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. In a narrative told from a first-person perspective, which of the following is most likely to be true? (A) The reader has access to the thoughts and feelings of all characters. (B) The narrator's perspective is objective and unbiased. (C) The reader is limited to the narrator's perspective and experiences. (D) The story is told from an external, all-knowing point of view.

2. A narrator who is aware of the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in a story is best described as: (A) First-person limited (B) Third-person omniscient (C) Second-person (D) Third-person limited

3. Which of the following best describes the effect of an unreliable narrator on a story? (A) It creates a sense of stability and certainty for the reader. (B) It allows the reader to fully trust the events and characters. (C) It can create suspense and challenge the reader's interpretation of events. (D) It provides an objective, detached perspective on the story.

#Free Response Question (FRQ)

Prompt: Read the following excerpt from a novel and analyze how the narrator's point of view and tone contribute to the meaning of the passage. Be sure to discuss the effect of the narrator's choices on the reader's understanding of the characters and events.

"I remember the day we moved into the old house. It was a grand, imposing structure, but it had a strange, musty smell that lingered in every room. My parents were ecstatic, but I felt a sense of unease. The shadows seemed to dance in the corners, and the silence was almost deafening. I tried to tell my parents about my feelings, but they just laughed and said I had an overactive imagination. That night, I couldn't sleep. The floorboards creaked, and I could have sworn I heard whispers coming from the walls. I knew, deep down, that this house held secrets we were not meant to uncover."

Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, concise thesis that identifies the narrator's point of view and tone and their contribution to the meaning of the passage.
• Analysis of POV (2 points): Discussion of how the first-person point of view shapes the reader's understanding of the narrator's feelings and experiences. Consider the limitations of this perspective.
• Analysis of Tone (2 points): Identification and analysis of the narrator's tone (e.g., apprehensive, foreboding, uneasy). Explanation of how the tone contributes to the overall mood and meaning of the passage.
• Impact on Reader (2 points): Explanation of how the narrator's choices (POV and tone) affect the reader's understanding of the characters and events. How does the narrator's perspective influence our perception of the house and the family?
• Evidence and Support (1 point): Use of specific examples from the excerpt to support your analysis.
• Sophistication (1 point): Demonstrates nuanced understanding of the text, considering complexities and implications beyond the obvious.

You've got this! Keep up the great work, and remember to take a deep breath. You're well-prepared to tackle the AP Lit exam. Good luck! 🍀