Points of view in Fiction:

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Points of view in Fiction Limited Omniscient and
Dramatic
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Interpreter of Maladies
Limited Omniscient the short story is told in
the third person from the viewpoint of one
character (usually the central figure). Authors
tell us what this character sees and hears and
what he or she thinks and feels, They know
everything about their point of view
character--often more than the character knows
about him or herself. They limit themselves to
this characters perceptions and thus show no
direct knowledge about what other characters are
thinking or feeling or doing, except for what
the p.o.v. character knows or can infer about
them.
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Jhumpa Lahiri
Born 1967
Biographical Information
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Interpreter of Maladies
From even the expository section of the story, a
reader can depict an international theme the
disparity between the Americanized Das family and
the older, more traditional (Indian) Mr. Kapasi.
One of the major events/symbols driving
this theme is their arrival at the Sun Temple of
Konarak.
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Temple at Konarak
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Temple at Konarak
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One of the Twenty four wheels
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(No Transcript)
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Surya
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Hanuman
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Discussion question
After completing the story, what are
your feelings about Mrs. Das and
Mr.Kapasi? Empathy? Sympathy? Pity?
Resentment? Other?
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Discussion question
What symbolism do you see in the last
paragraphs description of the piece of film
magazine floating up to where the monkeys are
sitting in the trees?
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Cultural Values
Protagonist
Antagonist
Mr kapasi
Mrs das / Das family
Traditional Indian morality
superficial American culture
idealistic romance
raw sexuality/ animality
attracted to artful, meaningful constructs of
language (interpretation)
Culturally unevolved state of sensiblities,
crass, obtuse
living in dishonest marriage for eight years
honest in feelings
Portrayed as a man of substance and imagination
Adults Portrayed as overgrown children
The limited omnicient point of view is crucial to
the ending
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Theme for Interpreter of Maladies
Some men that experience midlife
tribulations--whose domestic life is physically
comfortable but spiritually unfulfilling and
lacking in romance--may construct a fantasy life
around another woman to bolster their attachment
to idealistic romance and youthful dreams, not
expecting a sudden truth to shatter their world
and effect the continuation of their melacholy
solitude.
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John Steinbeck
1902-1968 Biography
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The Chrysanthemums
Objective (Dramatic) the narrator disappears
into a kind of roving sound camera this camera
can go anywhere but can only record what is seen
and heard. Readers are placed in the position of
spectators at a movie or play. They see what
the characters do and hear what they say but must
infer what they think or feel and what they are
like. The purest example of this p.o.v. would
be a story written entirely in dialogue. It is
often called the fly on the wall or
self-effacing point of view.
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The Chrysanthemums
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Discussion question
Early on, Steinbeck incorporates description of
the setting--particularly the Salinas Valley and
the house behind Elisa. How does this help the
reader in understanding the protagonists
plight?
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Discussion question
How does Elisas encounter with the tinker
illustrate two ways in which society (at the
time) attempts to keep women in their place?
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Discussion questions
What are your feelings about Steinbeck choice of
the dramatic (cinematic) point of view? Would
another point of view, say first person or
limited omniscient, have helped you to better
understand Elisas frustrations?
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Protagonist
Antagonist
A society based on masculine ideals
Elisa
strong and intense
barriers
supressed by economic necessities
has feminine talents
has compassion, a sense of the romantic, trust,
concern for others
men are often self-serving and superficial, lack
romance
Dispassionate
guilt-ridden

The dramatic point of view serves to enhance our
sense of what it is that Elisa longs for, but
will never achieve.
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Theme for The Chrysanthemums
For some strong, energetic women who want
to break free of traditional barriers, to realize
their spiritual and erotic cravings, to release
their nuturing qualities and feminine talents in
a wider world, the forces of a male dominated
society may too powerfully stunt their capacities
for growth and expression, thus perpetuating the
frustration of their present condition.
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END