The Narrator’s Dual Role: Crafting the Narratee and Implied Reader in Northern Lights
Abstract
This article explores how the character of the narrator in Philip Pullman’s Northern Lights constructs both the narratee and the implied reader, shaping the reader's emotional and intellectual engagement with the text. Through a third-person limited omniscient point of view, Pullman’s narrator provides insight into the protagonist Lyra Belacqua's experiences, while subtly guiding the audience’s response to key events, moral dilemmas, and philosophical questions. The study examines how the narrator’s emotional engagement with the characters and shifting narrative focus fosters a strong connection between the narratee (the imagined recipient within the story) and the implied reader (the external audience). By analyzing the narrator’s narrative strategies, this article reveals how Pullman creates a layered storytelling experience, prompting both emotional immersion and intellectual reflection. The findings illustrate how the narrator’s influence in Northern Lights goes beyond mere storytelling, playing a crucial role in shaping how readers perceive characters, themes, and the narrative itself.
Keywords
Narrator, implied reader, Philip PullmanHow to Cite
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