Topic 8 - Discourse structure and point of view > Linguistic indicators of point of view > Task E

Linguistic indicators of point of view

Task E - Social Deixis

(i) What are the narrator's social relations with the various characters who are introduced, and what role does the manner in which they are referred to play in this? We have highlighted the names of the characters, and you can compare what you think with our comments after the quotation.

(ii) Think also, as you build up this specification of what is effectively a web of relationships, how this text positions you, the reader? How do you fit into the social system? You can compare your thoughts with ours after the quotation.

There are four figures in the field, besides Lewis on the reaper-binder (1). Mr Luscombe: red-faced and crooked-grinning, one eye with a cast behind his steel-rimmed spectacles, a collarless shirt with a thin grey stripe, darned, the cuffs worn, cord trousers with peaks at the back for braces, but held up also by a thick leather belt (2). Bill, his younger son, nineteen, capped and massive, EIGHT inches taller than anyone else on the field, arms like hams, a slow giant, clumsy at all but his work .... but see him scythe, dwarf the distort handle and the blade, the swaling drive and unstopping rhythm, pure and princely force of craft (3). Old Sam in breeches, braces, boots and gaiters, his face forgotten, though not his limp; a collarless shirt also, a straw hat with the crown detached on one side ('let's in th'ole air a bit, doan'ee see') and a tuft of wilted heart's-ease tucked in the black band (4). And finally a boy in his mid-teens, his clothes unsuited, a mere harvest helper: cotton trousers, an apple-green Aertex shirt, old gym shoes... (5)

(John Fowles , Daniel Martin, Ch. 1.)

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