Final answer:
If you feel like a character in a short story, the author likely used the second-person point of view. This narrative style directly addresses the reader with 'you,' drawing them into the story, contrasting with the first-person and third-person modes that offer different perspectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you feel like you're a character in a short story, then the author probably used the second-person point of view. This unique narrative mode directly addresses the reader using the pronoun 'you,' inserting them into the story as a participant. This technique can create an intimate and immersive experience, making the reader feel involved in the events of the story. In contrast, first-person narration uses 'I,' 'we,' or 'you' from the perspective of a single character, often the protagonist, allowing insight into that character’s thoughts and feelings.
Meanwhile, third-person omniscient narration provides a god-like perspective with access to all characters' thoughts and actions without using 'I,' 'you,' or 'we.' Each narrative mode has a distinct impact on the tone and the way the story is told. Authors choose the narrative mode that best suits their story's needs, and this choice is a key component of the author's overall style. In using the second-person point of view, an author like Nathaniel Hawthorne in 'The Haunted Mind' deliberately breaks from the more traditional first-person or third-person approaches to create a compelling and engaging narrative.