Question

which narrative point of view is shown in the passage?

as mr. john oakhurst, gambler, stepped into the main street of poker flat on the morning of the twenty-third of november, 1850, he was conscious of a change in its moral atmosphere since the preceding night. two or three men, conversing earnestly together, ceased as he approached, and exchanged significant glances. . . .

mr. oakhursts calm, handsome face betrayed small concern in these indications. . . . \i reckon theyre after somebody,\ he reflected; \likely its me.\

from bret harte, the outcasts of poker flat

first person
second person
third person

Explanation:

⚡ Using what you learned: point of view: first, second, and third person

Step 1: Analyze the pronouns outside of dialogue

To determine the narrative point of view, we look at how the narrator refers to the characters outside of direct speech:

• The narrator refers to the main character by name ("Mr. John Oakhurst") and uses third-person pronouns ("he was conscious", "his calm, handsome face", "he reflected").
• The narrator is an outside observer who is not a character in the story.

Step 2: Identify the point of view

• First person uses "I," "me," and "we" to tell the story from a character's perspective (the "I" in the dialogue belongs to Mr. Oakhurst speaking, not the narrator).
• Second person uses "you" to address the reader directly.
• Third person uses "he," "she," "it," and "they" to describe the actions of the characters from an outside perspective.

Since the narrator uses "he" and "his" to describe Mr. Oakhurst's actions and thoughts, the passage is written in the third person.

Answer:

third person