Netflix's Narrative Ace: John McEnroe's POV Powerplay in 'Never Have I Ever'

Welcome back to LnT, lit-up and lively learners! - see what I did there with that alliteration? Never, has my eye ever been captured by a Netflix series like 'Never Have I Ever'!

What genuinely surprised me, and is likely to grab your interest too, is its narrative style. The story is told in the first person and immerses the audience completely in the world of the protagonist, Devi Vishwakumar, a 15-year-old negotiating the challenges of adolescence.

Independent from the primary narrator, a unique third-person voice appears from time to time, and it happens to be none other than tennis legend John McEnroe.

Now, why in the world would the creators select a male sports legend to narrate the life of a teenage girl? Well, let me fill you in: it's all about adding a fascinating layer to the storytelling. McEnroe, with his rich life experiences and distinct personality, not only guides us through Devi's world, but he does so in a lighthearted manner. His smart and funny comments and advice, interspersed with relevant references to his own adolescent misadventures, adds a new and unexpected layer to the story. It's like having a seasoned, eccentric mentor decipher the labyrinth of a teenager's mentality.

In storytelling, the point of view and the choice of a narrator work together to shape how we experience the story. Let's point out the details:

'Point of view' refers to the perspective from which the story is presented, determining whose eyes we see the events through. There are three primary points of view in storytelling:

First Person

The first-person narrator is one of the characters in the story and uses pronouns as "I" or "we." By doing so, the audience gets very close to the character's thoughts and feelings.

Second Person

The second-person point of view directly addresses the protagonist or another character as "you," making the readers feel more involved in the narrative.

Third Person

We have a third-person point of view when the narrator refers to the characters as "he," "she," or "they".

The narrator in the third-person POV can be omniscient (he then knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters) or limited (the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of only one character).

Types and Points of View in Literature and Movies

Now, we are aware of how these narrators play a crucial role in guiding us through the stories, and how their perspectives influence the way the audience experiences the narrative.

Authors and filmmakers can capture us by adopting multiple points of view.

Happy viewing, and as you delve into 'Never Have I Ever,' may it serve as a valuable example to sharpen your skills in identifying points of view. Don't hesitate to explore more literary insights on Literature-No-Trouble.com, where we strive to make English literature an accessible journey for high school students and their dedicated teachers.

Student Perspectives on Point of View:

Let's hear from students what are their thoughts on the impact of POV in literature.

Student 1: "I think it's important to consider the point of view in literature. In 'Wuthering Heights,' we see things through Nelly and Lockwood's eyes, which affects how we understand the characters and events."

Student 2: "Sometimes I like seeing things from one character's perspective, but other times it can be frustrating when I want more information about other parts of the story."

Student 3: "When books switch between different points of view too often, it can be confusing for me. I read a book recently where this happened a lot and it ruined my reading experience."

Student 4: "The point of view is really important to me in literature. When an author uses first-person narrative like in 'Jane Eyre,' it helps me connect with the character and feel like I'm experiencing everything alongside them."

Your Perspective Matters!: We believe that every reader has a unique approach to understanding and enjoying literature. We invite you, our fellow literature enthusiasts, to share your own thoughts on point of view in British literature. How do you perceive the impact of POV? Have you encountered any remarkable examples that left a lasting impression?

Contribute Anonymously: Rest assured, your contributions will be published without any mention of names. We value your insights and want to create a space where diverse perspectives can come together to enrich our understanding of literature.

Curious to explore more about the fascinating world of Point of View in literature? We invite you to visit our website and read the full article titled 'Exploring POV: A Guide'.There, you'll find definitions, examples, and maps on POV.