Abstract

The Harry Potter novels are narrated from Harry’s point of view: Harry is the main reflector used by an omniscient narrator and the reader is therefore led to discover the magical world alongside this young wizard who was raised in a non-magical (Muggle) family. However, this general tendency is counterbalanced by a few exceptions. The incipits are exceptional insofar as there is a clear and systematic deictic push from the omniscient narrator’s deictic field to Harry’s deictic field; in the whole series of novels, four incipits are not narrated from Harry’s point of view at all. This paper studies the role(s) that these exceptions play at the micro and macrostructural levels in the saga. Other exceptions in focalisation – namely, the superposition of the deictic fields of Harry and of Voldemort from HP5 onwards – are given particular attention. They show a more manipulative narrative switch on the part of the author as they echo, or foreshadow, the revelation of the magical relationship that binds Harry to his enemy, Lord Voldemort.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.