Everyday Use Point Of View Analysis

Britannica describes the point of view as “the vantage point from which a story is presented.” (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica). The point of view determines how much information the audience will have. A story written in first person point of view would allow the reader access to the narrator’s thoughts and feelings, but not the other characters. In a third person perspective, the story is narrated by someone who isn’t involved with the other characters. Third person point of view can either be limited or omniscient. A limited narrator doesn’t know what the characters are thinking; they can only speak for what is happening in the story. On the other hand, an omniscient narrator is all-knowing. They know what each character is thinking

Viewing the story from Momma’s perspective allows the readers an in-depth look at her thoughts and feelings. The first several paragraphs take us through what Momma thinks before Dee arrives. Walker’s writing gives the reader a deeper understanding of the character relationship, for example, Momma says, “Sometimes I dream a dream in which Dee and I are suddenly brought together on a TV program of this sort.” (Walker par.4). Momma describes her hopes of reconnecting with Dee and mending their relationship. Momma’s internal monologue reveals her rocky relationship with her daughter, Dee. The point of view throughout this story also helps to develop the theme of culture. Momma’s narrations allow the reader to understand the importance of her culture and heritage. Momma’s thoughts allow the reader to comprehend the importance of her family heirlooms completely. “[The quilts] had been pieced by Grandma Dee and then Big Dee and me had hung them on the quilt frames on the front porch and quilted them. One was in the Lone Star pattern. The other was Walk Around the Mountain. In both of them were scraps of dresses Grandma Dee had worn fifty and more years ago. Bits and pieces of Grandpa Jarrell's Paisley shirts. And one teeny faded blue piece, about the size of a penny matchbox, that was from Great Grandpa Ezra's uniform that he wore in the Civil War.” (Walker Par.55). Viewing the story through Momma’s perspective

The literary piece is written in omniscient third person creating an unbiased view of the characters and their actions. The narrator is a non-participant privy to the characters thoughts and feelings. This point of view allows the narrator to remain objective while still giving the reader knowledge of the characters thoughts and feelings. Despite the narrator’s objective perspective, the story is mainly focused on the wife and her thoughts. The narrator follows the wife throughout the story and often speaks her thoughts for her. There are times in the story when we view a character exclusively through the wife’s thoughts, as told by the narrator. The narrator says, “The wife liked him. She liked the deadly serious way he received any complaints. She liked his dignity. She liked the way he wanted to serve her. She liked the way he felt about being a hotel-keeper. She liked his old, heavy face and big hands.” (Hemingway pg.109). Here the reader can see what the wife is thinking. However she is not the one telling it, the narrator is. Throughout the story, the narrator presents the feelings of George, the husband, as well. That is the advantage of third person point of view; the perspective provides the reader with unbiased information allowing for accurate exploration of the characters and the