Multiple Narrators and Moral Development

Recently I was listening to a review of the TV series The Affair, an innovative show told from the points of view of four characters with intertwined lives. You’re probably wondering right now what this could possibly have to do with middle-grade novels. Bear with me.

The reviewer highlighted the fact that often when the same scene is shown through two different characters’ eyes, subtle changes, such as where the characters are sitting, what clothes they’re wearing, and what aspects of the situation they choose to highlight, reveal the differences in how they perceive things. As a result, the viewer is left with the task of finding the real truth among the “truths” that these characters believe they’re telling. The show’s technique is not only a lesson in perception, but also a device to have viewers empathize with all the characters and not just the one they most identify with.

Now here’s the part where middle-grade books come in: In his book, Teaching Children to Learn, author Robert Fisher states: “We develop empathy and understanding of others when our perception is broadened … One way to broaden perception is to try to see things from another person’s point of view.” That, he says, “requires an ability to listen to the views expressed by other people, and to make an imaginative leap to understand their feelings and ideas. This leap of imagination is fundamental to moral development and to an understanding of others (or what has been called interpersonal intelligence).”

Of course, reading fiction in and of itself contributes to this leap of the imagination. But I’m wondering if stories told from multiple points of view might result in an even greater leap toward moral development and the understanding of others.

Interestingly, writers are often told to write from one point of view in order for the reader to identify with the main character. Yet many books with multiple narrators have been extremely popular with readers of all ages. I suspect credit goes to the skill of the writer to be able to pull off a book in which a reader can empathize with several narrators. Here are a few favorites:

 

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Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead

In Stead’s most recent novel, three narrators navigate the course of friendship, first love, politics, identity, and the pitfalls of adolescence throughout seventh grade.

 

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Because of Mr. Terupt
 by Rob Buyea

This book and its two sequels Mr. Terupt Falls Again and Saving Mr. Terupt follow seven students from fifth to seventh grade. Written from the points of view of each of them, the books give readers a glimpse of how several different characters deal with their own challenges as well as each other.

 

FC9781423105169Schooled by Gordon Korman

This novel about a homeschooler forced to go to middle school when his grandmother is hospitalized highlights the issue of bullying. Events unfold from the points of view of the main character, Cap, as well as his social worker, her daughter, a bully, a victim, a popular girl, and others.

 

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Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This long-time best seller tells the story of Auggie, a boy with a facial deformity who enters school for the first time. The story is told from the points of view of Auggie, his friends, his sister, and her boyfriend.

 

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Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Narrated from the points of view of two characters, a boy and girl who have known each other since second grade, the novel goes back and forth, showing each one’s feelings now that they’re both in eighth grade and see life differently.

 

How do you think these books and others written from multiple perspectives add to the reading experience and/or moral development of middle-grade readers? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

 

Dorian Cirrone has written several books for children and teens. Her middle-grade novel, The First Last Day, which takes place on the New Jersey Shore, will be published in summer 2016 from S&S/Aladdin. You can find her on Facebook and on Twitter as @DorianCirrone. She gives writing tips and does occasional giveaways on her blog at: http://doriancirrone.com/welcome/blog/

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Dorian Cirrone
Dorian Cirrone's most recent middle-grade novel is the award-winning,THE FIRST LAST DAY. She has published several books for children and teens. Visit her at www.doriancirrone.com
6 Comments
  1. I’ve been thinking about this “shift in perspective” lately (and how changing the lens the events are seen through can really affect a story), as I read reviews for the latest Twilight book, in which Stephanie Meyers went back and told the exact same story from her original book one, but this time switched the genders of all the characters from male to female (Bella to Beau, for example) and the reverse (Edward is now a female vampire). I haven’t read it myself, but am totally fascinated by reviewers notes on how that gender switch changes so many aspects even though scene for scene the story follows the original exactly (example: klutzy read as charming for a girl, but maybe comes across as weak for a boy; Bella’s lack of interest in “girly” things kept some from identifying with her, while as Beau it makes him seem masculine and “cool”).

    • Really interesting, Jen. I love the point about how Bella’s characteristics made her charming, but at the same time hard to identify with because of her girly ways. But those same things made Beau weak but also cool. Thanks!

  2. You bring up something I think is important for writers to consider. It’s a difficult task. I have only read one of the books you listed. I need to get busy reading them. I do enjoy reading books from more than one point of view, but I doubt I would try to attempt it. Thanks for a thought-provoking post.

  3. Dorian, I was just thinking about how important it is to foster and develop empathy in young people. And, of course, children’s literature goes a long way in helping do that. Multiple viewpoints allow for more opportunities to get inside the heads and hearts of more characters. My new book coming out in May has dual narratives, and I read somewhere that when you do that it’s best not to repeat a scene from each character’s point of view, but to move forward. Choose the character whose point of view will have the most emotional impact for a particular scene and write it from that character’s perspective.
    Thanks for this insightful post. Love the books you mentioned!

    • Thanks, Donna. I’m looking forward to reading your new book when it comes out! I’ve been working on a YA with two narrators, and I know exactly what you’re talking about regarding not repeating the same scene and moving forward. It’s a lot tougher than it looks–like everything else :).