Final answer:
The narrative point of view in "The Gray Champion" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is determined by analyzing the narrative voice and perspective, which are indicated by the use of pronouns and narrative cues within the text.
Step-by-step explanation:
The narrative point of view in an excerpt from "The Gray Champion" by Nathaniel Hawthorne can be discerned by examining how the story is being told and who is telling it. In literature, the narrative voice and the point of view are crucial elements that shape a reader's experience of the story. The narrative voice essentially refers to the 'voice' that is telling the story, while the point of view pertains to whose perspective the story is presented from. In examining an excerpt, you would look for specific pronouns and narrative cues that indicate whether the story is being told from a first-person, second-person, or third-person perspective. A first-person narrative uses 'I' or 'we,' a second-person narrative involves 'you,' and a third-person narrative employs 'he,' 'she,' or 'they.'
To determine if the excerpt displays a first-person point of view, you'd look for indications that the narrator is a character within the story sharing their personal experiences and insights. For a second-person point of view, you'd notice a direct address to 'you,' implicating the reader as a participant. A third-person narration, either limited or omniscient, would describe characters and events from a distance, without the narrator being an active participant in the story. Assessing the excerpt for these characteristics will allow you to describe the narrative voice and perspective accurately.