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First-Person Narrative: What Does it Achieve?


Hi guys!

This week we took a look at Yellow Woman by Leslie Marmon Silko The theme that is most emphasized would be the style and technique that the story is written in. Silko takes advantage of the first-person narration and tells a flawless story with it. Silko emphasizes the importance of oral tradition and how the stories can morph with each teller in a new context. In doing so, it connects who we used to be to who we are now and allows us to see that growth and change.

What does first person narrative achieve?

-        Creates a personal connection to the reader

-        Contributes to the story’s ambiguity

-        Limits what the reader can perceive

Silko limits what we, as the reader can see and know by writing the story in first-person. We only see what the narrator sees and feels and everything is filtered through said-person. For example, the narrator has a difficult time figuring out if she is in real time or spiritual time. This puts the reader in a position to question whether or not she is a reliable narrator and whether she had a spiritual encounter or just an affair with a Maverick Navajo.
 

 
This story would be perfect to teach to students to show how first-person narrative can be used to an author’s advantage and how in doing so, limits the storytelling and what the readers see. One option of teaching them is to have them write a story about their family that they have heard over and over again. If they were to tell a stranger or the class about that story, what changes would they make to it and why? After the student writes their own story have them compare and contrast it to the Yellow Woman and see how their first-person narrative restricts the view of the reader. Is there character reliable? How is it similar to Silko’s? 
            Many books in pop culture are written in first person. Choose a book for your class that is both written in first person and has a movie remake. Then have the class read through the book (or just parts if your crunched on time). Have them take notes of the narrative and restrictions they have (they can’t tell what the other characters are thinking, they only see what the main character sees, etc.). After reading, watch the movie version and take notes on that perspective and how it is changed when put into a different adaptation. Have an open discussion with the class about the differences when you change perspectives and how the story shifts.
 

 
 
The Hunger Games (book)
-        The narrative restricts the point of view to only Katniss
-        You don’t know if Katniss’ views on Peeta is biased from her or not
-        Description is left to whatever Katniss thinks is worth mentioning
-        You only see what Katniss sees
The Hunger Games (movie)
-        You see the story from third person point-of-view
-        You get the whole picture
-        You cannot see into anyone’s head or hear thoughts
-        Restricted to sight and verbal words only
 
This allows the students to dive deep into narration while not overcomplicating it and discouraging them. The Hunger Games is a known and loved book and would help students understand the basics of first-person narration.
 
That’s all for today guys! See you soon!
Lily
 
 
 
 

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