Final answer:
Lukens implies that a first-person narrator in a story need not be the protagonist. Authors can have the story told by another character or even an inanimate object, providing a fresh perspective and potentially uncovering different emotional landscapes, unique insights, and character biases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lukens states that first-person point of view does not always involve the protagonist as the narrator. An author can accomplish this style of non-protagonist narration by instead choosing to tell the story from the perspective of another character, an outside observer, or even a non-human entity, such as the pen signing a contract. By shifting the point of view, a story can explore different emotional landscapes, provide alternative insights, or introduce biases based on the chosen narrator's perspective. For example, a story told from the perspective of a minor character might provide a fresh angle on the protagonist's actions or reveal events that the protagonist is unaware of.
Using a non-protagonist first-person narrator can enhance the narrative by creating a more intimate connection with other characters, offering a unique voice, and providing an opportunity to present a more complex portrayal of the story's environment and events. This type of narration also allows for the exploration of multiple perspectives, thereby enriching the overall texture of the narrative.