Question

Read this excerpt from What Maisie Knew by Henry James and answer the question that follows.

Thus from the first Maisie not only felt it, but knew she felt it. A part of it was the consequence of her father's telling her he felt it too, and telling Moddle, in her presence, that she must make a point of driving that home. She was familiar, at the age of six, with the fact that everything had been changed on her account, everything ordered to enable him to give himself up to her. She was to remember always the words in which Moddle impressed upon her that he did so give himself: "Your papa wishes you never to forget, you know, that he has been dreadfully put about." If the skin on Moddle's face had to Maisie the air of being unduly, almost painfully, stretched, it never presented that appearance so much as when she uttered, as she often had occasion to utter, such words. The child wondered if they didn't make it hurt more than usual; but it was only after some time that she was able to attach to the picture of her father's sufferings, and more particularly to her nurse's manner about them, the meaning for which these things had waited.

Identify the type of narration used in the excerpt. Which words in the excerpt indicate the type of narration? What is the effect of this point of view on the reader’s interpretation of the information presented?

Answer 1

The excerpt is an example of third-person limited narration. Phrases such as “the child wondered,” “she must make a point,” and “she was able to attach” indicate this mode of narration. This point of view lets readers see the events through the eyes of Maisie. The description of the emotions and expressions of the character reveal that the narrator is very close to the character.

Answer 2

Identify the type of narration used in the excerpt.

The story is told in the third person omniscient point of view. It is a type of narration where the narrator plays god and knows the internal feelings and thoughts of the character. In addition, it allows the reader to know the thoughts and feelings of the character too.

Which words in the excerpt indicate the type of narration?

Using the 3rd person pronouns such as “she,” “he,” “himself,” “her,” and related pronouns show the point of view of the narration; while the words “knew,” “felt,” “wondered” and words that show the inner thoughts and feelings of the character.

What is the effect of this point of view on the reader’s interpretation of the information presented?

The reader is able to make judgements and understand why the main character is behaving that way and the reason behind how the other characters react and respond to the situation. Interpretation of the story becomes more personal and engaging.