This approach allows the reader to become emotionally invested in the character whose point of view they are experiencing while still allowing for descriptions of other characters and their relationships with the protagonist. Third-person limited provides insight into a character’s inner thoughts and feelings and often creates an intimate connection between the character and the reader.
Explore Third-Person Limited
- 1 Third-Person Limited Definition
- 2 Third-Person Limited vs Other Perspectives
- 3 The Pros and Cons of Writing in Third-Person Limited
- 4 Examples of Third-Person Limited in Literature
- 5 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- 6 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- 7 How to Use Third-Person Limited Perspective
- 8 FAQs
- 9 Related Literary Terms
- 10 Other Resources
Third-Person Limited Definition
Third-person limited is a narrative perspective used in storytelling where the narrator is “omniscient” but is limited to the viewpoint of a single character. This means that the narrator is able to describe and observe the thoughts, feelings, and actions of one character, as well as the other characters in the story.
Unlike third person omniscient, which provides the reader with information from multiple points of view, third person limited offers a more focused, up-close-and-personal perspective of one character. By focusing on one character’s perspective, readers are often drawn further into the story and can gain a better understanding of the characters and their relationships with each other.
Third-Person Limited vs Other Perspectives
Third-person limited is a unique narrative perspective because it gives readers a unique look at the story. It’s different from other perspectives in that it gives the reader insight into the thoughts and feelings of a particular character, as opposed to other perspectives like third person omniscient, which gives readers a God-like view of all characters, or first person which is told from the point of view of one specific character.
Third-person limited provides a more intimate view into the story by allowing the reader to follow the thoughts and feelings of one particular character while still giving the reader an understanding of what other characters are thinking and feeling. This makes it a great choice for stories where the focus is on exploring the psychology of one particular character.
The Pros and Cons of Writing in Third-Person Limited
The main advantage of writing in the third person limited perspective is that it allows a writer to tell a story from a single point of view without the reader being aware of any other characters’ thoughts or feelings. This can help to give the narrative a strong focus and keep the reader immersed in the story. Additionally, this perspective gives the reader insight into a character’s thoughts and emotions, making the narrative more engaging.
On the other hand, one of the major disadvantages of writing in third person limited is that it can be difficult to make multiple characters’ perspectives and motivations clear without having access to their thoughts.
Additionally, this narrative style can become disorienting if the point of view shifts between characters frequently. It’s also worth noting that some readers may find this perspective too limiting, preferring stories told from multiple points of view.
Examples of Third-Person Limited in Literature
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a classic example of third-person limited narrative. The novel follows the main character, Holden Caulfield, throughout his journey of self-discovery. Here is a quote:
I’m standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff—I mean if they’re running and they don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all.”
The story is told entirely from his point of view, and readers are shown his thoughts and feelings about the events that take place. Through his limited perspective, the reader is able to gain a deeper understanding of Holden’s inner world and the conflicts he faces.
It becomes clear as the novel progresses that Holden’s view on life is not the only one. He struggles to come to terms with everyday issues and is generally regarded as an unreliable narrator.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is another great example of third-person limited perspective. This novel follows the protagonist, Scout, as she grows up in a small town in Alabama. Here is a quote:
She did not stand alone, but what stood behind her, the most potent moral force in her life, was the love of her father. She never questioned it, never thought about it, never even realized that before she made any decision of importance, the reflex, ‘What would Atticus do?’ passed through her unconscious;
The story is told from Scout’s point of view, and readers can see how she navigates the complex social landscape of the town. Through her limited perspective, readers get to understand Scout’s personal growth and development over time.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is an excellent example of third-person limited narrative. The novel follows Jane as she navigates the social and cultural expectations of 19th-century England. The story is told exclusively from her perspective, and readers are able to experience Jane’s struggles and triumphs through her eyes. Here is an example:
I do not think, sir, you have any right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have; your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.
This limited narrative gives readers an intimate look into Jane’s inner world and her journey of self-discovery.
Explore Charlotte Brontë’s poetry.
How to Use Third-Person Limited Perspective
Writing in the third person limited perspective is a great way to provide your readers with an intimate connection to the story and characters. With this type of writing, the narrator is an external observer who can still get inside the thoughts of one of the characters.
When writing from this perspective, you will be focusing on just one character at a time. This allows the reader to get a deep understanding of the character and how they think, feel and react in certain situations. This can make the narrative more engaging and create a stronger emotional connection between the reader and the story.
In order to write effectively in the third person limited perspective, you need to be able to stay within one character’s point of view and keep their thoughts and feelings in mind when crafting the narrative. You should use language and description to illustrate how that character sees the world, as well as use dialogue to show how they interact with other characters.
FAQs
Whether or not to use third-person limited or omniscient is entirely depending on your text and what you want to accomplish with it. If your story is primarily about one person and their understanding of the world, then third-person limited is better suited. If you’re hoping to describe a range of perspectives, third-person omniscient is better.
Here is an example of third-person limited perspective from To Kill a Mockingbird “She did not stand alone, but what stood behind her, the most potent moral force in her life was the love of her father.”
The easiest way to identify third-person limited perspective is if a story is told in the third person but only focuses on one person’s experiences.
Related Literary Terms
- Bandwagon: a persuasive style of writing that is used to convince readers of an argument or make them understand a certain perspective.
- First-Person Point of View: a literary style in which the narrator tells a story about him or herself.
- Free Indirect Style: a type of third-person narrative perspective that includes the thoughts of a character while maintaining the narrator’s control over the story.
- Persona: an invented perspective that a writer uses. The point of view might be entirely different than their own.
- Perspective: the lens through which the reader experiences a story, film, television series, or poem.