Third Person Omniscient
In the third-person omniscient point of view, the narrator knows everything about all characters—thoughts, feelings, and actions—across the story. This narrator has a “god-like” perspective, able to move between characters and settings freely, offering insights into multiple minds.
Example: “The queen sat calmly, though inside her heart raced, and across the room, the servant feared her next move.”
Third Person Limited
Third-person limited restricts the narrative to the thoughts and experiences of one character, following their perspective closely. The narrator only knows what that specific character knows.
Example: “Sara nervously watched the clock, unsure if he’d arrive. She couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom.”
Differences:
- Omniscient: All-knowing, multiple character perspectives.
- Limited: Focuses on one character’s inner thoughts and experiences.
Both are valuable storytelling tools, with third person omniscient offering more flexibility but potentially distancing the reader, while limited fosters deeper character connection but limits perspective.