Focalisation

The perspective through which events are presented. A third-person narrative can follow one character’s observations and thoughts closely.

The perspective through which events are presented. Much of the third-person narration in Jekyll and Hyde is focalised through Utterson: readers follow his observations, thoughts and incomplete understanding.

Much of Chapters 1–8 is told by a third-person narrator who follows Utterson’s perspective. This is focalisation: we often encounter clues through his observations and interpretations. Utterson is not himself the narrator of these chapters.

The perspective through which events are perceived. A third-person narrator can use a character’s viewpoint without that character becoming the narrator.

The perspective through which events are presented, which may follow a particular character’s perceptions without making that character the narrator.

At this stage, a third-person narrator describes events but follows Utterson’s knowledge and reasoning closely. This use of a character’s perspective is called focalisation. Readers encounter evidence alongside the lawyer, without entering Jekyll’s mind to discover its meaning.

The viewpoint through which a narrative presents events. Much of the novella follows Utterson’s observations and thoughts, although he is not its narrator.

The perspective through which events are presented. Although Austen uses a third-person narrator, much of the novel follows Elizabeth’s knowledge and judgements.

The perspective through which a narrative presents events, even when the narrator speaks in the third person.

The third-person narrator focuses closely on Clover’s thoughts. This is a shift in focalisation, not a change to first-person narration. She remembers hoping for equality, freedom from hunger and protection of the weak.

The perspective through which a narrative presents events, shaping what readers know and how they interpret it.

A technique in which narration presents events through a particular character's perceptions. Much of our early impression of Wickham is shaped by Elizabeth's attraction to him.

The perspective through which events are presented. A third-person narrator can use a character as the focaliser without that character being the narrator.

The filtering of a narrative through a particular character's perceptions or understanding, even when that character is not the narrator.

The character's perspective through which events are presented. A third-person narrative can still be closely aligned with one character's thoughts and perceptions.

The perspective through which narrative events are presented; much of Jekyll and Hyde is focalised through Utterson’s limited understanding.

The perspective through which events are perceived. A third-person narrator can focus events through a particular character without making that character the narrator.

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE English Literature · 8702

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Edexcel GCSE English Literature · 1ET0

OCR GCSE English Literature · J352

Eduqas GCSE English Literature · C720