POV, Theme, and Symbol

1. POV, Theme, and Symbol Elements of Fiction

2. Point of View • Point of View- The perspective from which the story is told • Who is telling the story? • How do we know what is happening

3. POV- 3rd person Omniscient • The author is telling the story directly-they know the thoughts and feelings of all characters • “Myop carried a short, knobby stick. She struck out at random chickens she liked, and worked out the beat of a song on the fence around the pigpen. She felt light and good in the warm sun. She was ten, and nothing existed for her but her song, the stick clutched in her dark hand.”

4. 3rd person limited • 3rd person, but told from the viewpoint of one character in the story • “They all laughed, and while they were laughing, the quiet boy moved his bare foot on the sidewalk and merely touched, brushed against a number of red ants that were scurrying about on the sidewalk. Secretly, his eyes shining, while his parents chatted with the old man, he saw the ants hesitate, quiver and lie still on the cement. He sensed they were cold now.”

5. 1st person • Told from the viewpoint of one character, and uses the pronoun “I” • “The thousands of injuries of Fortunate I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I give utterance to a threat.”

6. Theme • The central Idea or message of a story. Usually contains some insight into the human condition • Tells us something about humans and life • The theme can be stated directly (like the moral of the story is…) or implied by the event and actions.

7. Symbolism • Represents an idea, quality, or concept larger than itself. • A journeycan symbolize life • A lion can be a symbol for courage • Water may represent cleanliness and renewal • A red rose can represent love