Focalizer

A focalizer is a literary device or perspective that determines the scope and nature of narrative information presented to the reader. It acts as the "lens" through which the story is filtered, influencing the reader's understanding and emotional response. The focalizer can be a character (internal focalization), the narrator (external focalization), or a shifting point of view (variable focalization). The focalizer shapes what the reader knows, how they know it, and even the tone of the narrative, making it a crucial element in shaping the reader's experience. Different focalizers produce different effects: a limited perspective builds suspense and intimacy, while an omniscient one provides a broader view of events, and a multiple focalizer allows insight into conflicting viewpoints.

Focalizer meaning with examples

• In *The Great Gatsby*, the story is presented through Nick Carraway, the focalizer. We only experience Gatsby and the roaring twenties through Nick's eyes, creating a sense of mystery around Gatsby and fostering reader empathy for Nick's perceptions, building his unreliable narrator status. This limited focalization also influences the reader's perception of the social class dynamics.
• The detective novel often uses a single character as the focalizer. By limiting the reader's knowledge to what the detective observes and deduces, the author creates suspense and mystery. Clues are withheld, red herrings abound, and the reader becomes an active participant in solving the case. This perspective helps to create a thrilling experience.
• In *Pride and Prejudice*, Jane Austen uses a primarily internal focalization through Elizabeth Bennet. The reader experiences events largely through Elizabeth's wit and independent judgment. Her biases, prejudices, and emotional responses shape the reader's understanding of other characters, notably Mr. Darcy, and influences the overall perception of characters and situations.
• Many children's books use a child character as the focalizer, creating a sense of innocence and wonder. This perspective allows the reader to see the world through the eyes of a child, heightening their sense of imagination, empathy, and simplifying complexities while creating a relatable narrative.
• Some novels use a variable focalization technique, shifting between multiple characters' perspectives to create a comprehensive view of the story. This method allows the author to explore multiple aspects of the plot, creating a diverse narrative experience and challenging the reader with several ways of seeing the world.