Focalization in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Focalization

The term “focalization” in literary theory and narrative studies is derived from the Latin word “focus,” which means “hearth” or “fireplace.”

This etymology reflects the concept of focusing or directing attention, as if drawing people around a hearth or fire for a central point of interest. In literature, it refers to the narrative perspective or point of view through which a story is presented, emphasizing the importance of where the narrative’s focus or attention is directed. It plays a crucial role in shaping the reader’s understanding of characters, events, and themes within a narrative, making it a fundamental element of storytelling analysis and interpretation.

Meanings of Focalization

Aspect	Meaning
Narrative Perspective	It refers to the narrative perspective or point of view from which a story is presented, influencing the reader’s perception of events and characters.
Narrative Center of Interest	It represents the narrative’s central focus or the point around which the story revolves, guiding the reader’s attention.
Shaping Reader’s Understanding	Focalization plays a vital role in shaping the reader’s understanding of the narrative by determining what information is revealed and how it is presented.
Character-Centered	It often centers on characters, allowing readers to see the story through the eyes, thoughts, and emotions of specific characters.
Narrative Device	It serves as a narrative device that affects the tone, style, and engagement with the text, contributing to the overall storytelling experience.

Definition of Focalization as a Theoretical Term

Focalization, as a theoretical term in literature and narrative studies, refers to the specific point of view or perspective through which a story is presented to the reader.

It plays a fundamental role in shaping the reader’s engagement with the text and the portrayal of characters and events within the story.

It encompasses the choices made by the narrator or author in terms of whose thoughts, experiences, and emotions are revealed, influencing the reader’s understanding of the narrative.

Focalization: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Theorists	Works and Arguments
Gérard Genette	– Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method (1972): Genette introduced the concept of “focalization” and categorized it into various modes, such as zero focalization, internal focalization, and external focalization, providing a framework for understanding narrative perspectives.
Mieke Bal	– Narratology: Introduction to the Theory of Narrative (1985): Bal expanded on Genette’s ideas and emphasized that it is not only about who sees but also how they see, highlighting the dynamic interplay between focalizers and readers.
Dorrit Cohn	– Transparent Minds: Narrative Modes for Presenting Consciousness in Fiction (1978): Cohn delved into the complexities, differentiating between various narratorial strategies for representing characters’ consciousness, offering insights into narrative psychology.
Franz Stanzel	– Narrative Situations in the Novel (1971): Stanzel introduced the concept of “typical narrative situations,” emphasizing the importance of point of view, voice, and focalization in shaping narrative engagement.
Wayne C. Booth	– The Rhetoric of Fiction (1961): Booth explored the reliability of narrators in relation to focalization, discussing how focalization choices influence reader trust in the narrative voice.
David Herman	– Story Logic: Problems and Possibilities of Narrative (2002): Herman integrated cognitive and psychological theories to study focalization, focusing on how readers engage with narrative perspectives and their cognitive processes.
Shlomith Rimmon-Kenan	– Narrative Fiction: Contemporary Poetics (2002): Rimmon-Kenan examined reader perception of narrative voices and the impact of focalization on character and event comprehension.

Focalization and Literary Theories

1. Narrative Perspective: Focalization is central to New Criticism, Structuralism, and Formalism. These theories emphasize the intrinsic qualities of the text itself, including the choice of focalization, to understand how narratives function.
2. Character and Identity: Focalization is crucial in feminist and psychoanalytic literary theories. Feminist critics explore how focalizations shape the representation of gender and identity, while psychoanalytic critics analyze how it reveals the characters’ inner worlds and psychological development.
3. Social and Cultural Commentary: Marxist criticism looks at how focalization can serve as a tool for social and class commentary. It examines how the choice of focalization reflects class disparities, power dynamics, and societal hierarchies.
4. Reader Engagement: Reader-response theory underscores the significance of focalization in reader engagement. The choice of narrative perspective can significantly impact how readers interpret and connect with a text.
5. Deconstruction: Deconstructionists emphasize the ambiguity and contradictions within texts. It plays a role in deconstructing narratives by revealing how different perspectives can challenge conventional interpretations and expose linguistic instabilities.
6. Cultural and Historical Context: Postcolonial and historicist literary theories consider the cultural and historical context in which focalization operates. They explore how narratives reflect or challenge the prevailing cultural norms, values, and historical events.

Focalization in Literary Criticism

Novel	Critique
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides	Critics have praised the author’s use of first-person focalization from the protagonist’s perspective, creating a sense of intimacy and suspense. However, some argue that this tight focalization limits the reader’s access to the thoughts and motivations of other characters, impacting their understanding of the story’s twists and turns.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid	This novel has been lauded for its multiple third-person focalization, allowing readers to see the world through the perspectives of both Emira and Alix. Critics appreciate how this choice highlights the complex dynamics of race and privilege. However, some argue that it occasionally leads to narrative fragmentation, making it challenging to fully connect with the characters.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett	The novel’s shifting it between the twin sisters, Desiree and Stella, has been commended for illustrating their divergent paths and the concept of passing. Critics suggest that this choice adds depth to the characters but may leave some readers wishing for a more in-depth exploration of secondary characters.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern	The lush and atmospheric world created in this novel has garnered acclaim for its vivid descriptions and first-person focalization from the perspectives of Celia and Marco. However, some readers have critiqued the limited focalization as it doesn’t provide insights into the larger ensemble cast, leaving them wanting more from certain secondary characters.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens	Critics have celebrated the use of dual focalization between Kya and the murder investigation, which adds layers of suspense and depth to the narrative. However, some argue that the focalization on the investigation can occasionally disrupt the lyrical and immersive quality of Kya’s narrative.

Suggested Readings

1. Genette, Gérard. Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method. Cornell University Press, 1980.
2. Bal, Mieke. Narratology: Introduction to the Theory of Narrative. University of Toronto Press, 2009.
3. Cohn, Dorrit. Transparent Minds: Narrative Modes for Presenting Consciousness in Fiction. Princeton University Press, 1978.
4. Booth, Wayne C. The Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1983.
5. Herman, David. Story Logic: Problems and Possibilities of Narrative. University of Nebraska Press, 2002.
6. Rimmon-Kenan, Shlomith. Narrative Fiction: Contemporary Poetics. Routledge, 2002.