Question

In at least 150 words, explain what it means to be an omniscient narrator. Provide an example from one of the stories you’ve read to support your definition.

Answer 1

An omniscient narrator is a narrator who knows what's happening all the time in the story. This type of narrator can tell you what every single character is feeling, thinking, and doing. There isn't any limitation to this type narration. This doesn't mean the narrator will reveal everything to you at the exact time it is happening. For the sake of the story, there could be pieces exempt that will be placed in at the right time. This could work well in perhaps a mystery or drama.

In the short story "The Gift of the Magi" we can clearly see it is told from an omniscient narrator. We are told how both the main characters are feeling throughout the story. We know simultaneously that both the characters are making sacrificing materialistic items of their own just to be able to show each other love through Christmas gifts. The whole story would be totally different if it were told from a first person perspective from one of the main characters.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Omniscient narrator:
This is a common 3rd person narrator in which the person of the tale knows everything, from private thoughts, secret or hidden events, to jumping betweens time. However, the narrator does not tell the reader or viewer everything, until it has a great affect on the story. This is used throughout the story, and the story line can change whenever. For example, if i am a omniscient narrator, i would be able to tell you what every single character is thinking, their actions, and their consequences. You will be able to know whatever they think & do. An example of this is: Bob is angry, because Tom broke his favorite toy. Bob thought, "I will repay Tom for what he has done". He devised a plan that included destroying all of Tom's toys. In the dead of night, when all others are sleeping, Bob went to Tom's house, and bashed and scattered his toys around. The next day, when Tom awoke, he screamed. His parents came and called the police.... etc etc

This showed that even though the other people in the story did not know who did it (yet) or what his thoughts were that led to his actions, the reader him/her self knew what was going on.

hope this helps