Final answer:
The narrator in first-person narration tells the story from their own perspective using pronouns like 'I' and 'me,' often participating in the story as a major or minor character. The choice of narrator and point of view affects how a story is perceived and interpreted, with first-person narration providing a subjective view limited to the narrator's experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The narrator is the individual telling the story in a piece of literature. The point of view is essentially from whose eyes we are viewing the story unfold. When a narrator uses a first-person point of view, they tell the story from their own perspective, typically using pronouns like I, me, and we. This type of narrator participates in the story's action and has a limited knowledge restricted to their own experiences and observations. An important aspect to consider is whether the first-person narrator is a major or minor character within the story.
First-person narrators are integral because they provide a personal and subjective angle on the story's events. They allow readers an intimate look at the narrator's thoughts, feelings, and motivations, but they also limit the understanding of other characters' internal states. Memoirs, autobiographies, and many works of fiction utilize this point of view to engage the reader closely with the narrator's personal experiences. However, it is crucial to note that this perspective does not grant the narrator omniscience; they cannot know everything, especially what other characters are thinking or feeling beyond what is expressed through dialogue and action.
Different types of narration, such as second-person and third-person limited, offer varied levels of intimacy and objectivity. The choice of narrator and point of view is fundamental to how a story is perceived and can significantly influence a reader's engagement and interpretation of the text.