How can you tell if a narrator is omniscient or limited?

Answer 1

One way to determine if a narrator is omniscient or limited is to look at the level of insight and knowledge they have about the characters, events, and settings in the story.

An omniscient narrator is able to provide detailed insights into the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of multiple characters, as well as knowledge about events that may be happening simultaneously in different locations. This narrator can also offer commentary and analysis on the story that goes beyond what the characters themselves may be aware of.

On the other hand, a limited narrator is constrained to only providing information that is known or perceived by a specific character within the story. This type of narrator is typically limited to one character's perspective and experiences, offering a more limited view of the events that unfold.

Overall, the key difference between an omniscient and limited narrator lies in the scope and depth of knowledge they possess about the story's characters and events.