Point Of View In Richard Connell's 'Hunters In The Snow'

A point of view is crucial in telling a good story. In English 1302, there are three different points of view, omniscient, objective, and first-person. Each point of view helps the reader illustrate in their minds how the story is told. The three points of view are illustrated in the following stories, “The Most Dangerous Game,” told in omniscient, “Hunters in the Snow,” told in objective, and “Everyday Use,” told in first-person.

“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, is a short story about a jaguar hunter, named Rainsford, that falls off of a yacht and ends up on a mysterious island. On this island he meets a man named General Zaroff. Rainsford and Zaroff then play a human hunting game, hunting each other. This story is told in omniscient point of view because the story is told in third person by a narrator whose knowledge and prerogatives are unlimited. The narrator of this story knows all of the thoughts of each character. All of the character’s actions and feelings are known. The narrator states, “Rainsford froze there, every muscle tensed for a spring,” (Connell, 81) telling the reader about Rainsford’s actions.

“Hunters in the Snow” by Tobias Wolff, is about three friends who go hunting together.

While there are hunting they have a miscommunication and Tub shoots Kenny. Tub and Frank attempt to take Kenny to the hospital. Tub and Frank become closer while Kenny is dying. This story is told in objective point of view because the reader must infer what the characters are thinking or feeling and what they are like. In “Hunters in the Snow” the reader has to infer what happens to Kenny in the end. The narrator does not tell us directly. The narrator ends the story with “”I’m going to the hospital,” Kenny said. But he was wrong. They had taken a different turn a long way back” (Wolff, 99). By ending with these lines the reader can infer that Kenny

died.
“Everyday Use” by Alice Walker, is about a mother and there two daughters, Maggie and Dee. This small family did not live very wealthy. Dee never appreciated what was done for her. Dee leaves home and when she comes back, she appreciates her heritage a lot more than before. Before she move she refused quilts from her mom and so her mom promised them to Maggie. When Dee comes back she is upset because of this. This story is when in first-person because the author disappears into one of the characters, who tells the story in the first person. The reader knows that the mother is telling the story because the narrators says, “”Come out into the yard,” I say” (Walker, #).
Just like “The Most Dangerous Game,” “Hunters in the Snow,” and “Everyday Use” every other story that is read is told in it’s own point of view. The stories read may be told in omniscient, objective, or first-person. Each point of view helps the reader to imagine and illustrate the story in their mind. Point of view is very critical to all stories.