Sunday, July 15, 2012

Mirth; Book 1, Sections XI and XII


The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

“Such details did not fall within the range of Mrs. Peniston’s vision. Like many minds of panoramic sweep, hers was apt to overlook the minutiæ of the foreground, and she was much more likely to know where Carry Fisher had found the Welly Bry’s chef for them, than what was happening to her own niece” (Wharton, 98-99). This quote shows that the narrator of this book is third person and omniscient. The narrator is not a character in the novel, nor does the narrator focus on Lily’s or any other character’s point of view. Every character helps form part of the elaborate story. All characters contribute their own decisions and actions. The narrator also knows the thoughts and feelings of every character. Furthermore, I believe that this narrator is also objective. He does not take sides in arguments, and he tells the story just as it is. The narrator passes no judgment upon any characters or situation. In addition, the narrator does not interject his opinion at any time throughout the story. 

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