First-Person Peripheral Narrator: Difference between revisions

See also [[The Watson]], whose job it is to merely ''set up'' exposition, and [[POV Boy Poster Girl]], where the boy often resembles this. Compare and contrast with [[Designated Protagonist Syndrome]]. When a [[Biopic]] is made in this fashion, it is called a [[Sidelong Glance Biopic]].

 

 

== Literature ==

* Some of [[John Wyndham]]'s works use this, most notably ''[[The Midwich Cuckoos (Literature)|The Midwich Cuckoos]]'', which is told by a fairly uninspiring and relatively uninvolved observer. If the book can be said to have a protagonist, it would have to be Zellaby.

* Jenny in ''[[Nothings Fair in Fifth Grade|Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade]]''. While we get to relate to some of her own life problems and situations, the story is really mostly about Elsie, the overweight girl with significant life problems, whose life gradually improves (via Jenny). Jenny's [[Character Development]] is largely based around her relationship with Elsie.

* The nameless sailor listening to Marlowe tell the story of Kurtz in Conrad's ''[[Heart of Darkness]]''. Marlowe himself is also (arguably) an example, as his main role is just to witness Kurtz.

** Marlowe does this again in ''Lord Jim''.

* Souryo Fuyumi's manga ''Cesare'' is about a sixteen-year-old Cesare Borgia, his servant Miguel, and the games of [[Xanatos Speed Chess]] the two are playing with various historical figures. It's actually told by Angelo, some kid who's at school with them (readers usually ''hate'' Angelo, which may or may not be intentional). This is one of those uses where it starts to seem like the Ishmael is a little [[Ho Yay|too fascinated]], though this too may be deliberate.

* Rachel from ''[[Baccano (Light Novel)|Baccano]]'' We mostly find out about the events aboard the Flying Pussyfoot from her report to the President of the Daily Days.

* Sakuno Ryuzaki, and the Freshmen Trio from ''[[Prince of Tennis]]'' (at least initially). Ryoma Echizen's undeniably the focus of the story, but his personality and development are mostly viewed through other characters due to his aloof nature.

* ''[[Fairy Tail]]'' is undeniably Lucy's story. Lucy's story about Natsu and Fairy Tail.

== Film ==

 

* Paco (Edward James Olmos) in ''[[My Family Mi Familia]]'', who spends most of the film in the Navy.

* Red from ''[[The Shawshank Redemption]]''.

* [[Earth Bound Zero|Ninten]] is simply a stand in for the player, and [[Heroic Albino|Lloyd]] and Ana don't get a lot of development either.

* Raiden in ''[[Metal Gear Solid]] 2'': creator [[Hideo Kojima]] has stated that Solid Snake still was the real main character of the game.

* Tidus from ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'' is kind of a subversion of [[The Ishmael]], as he seems to be one at first, but it's gradually revealed that {{spoiler|he, along with his father, are the ones meant to bring down Yu Yevon and Sin, end the cycle of death, and free the Fayth from their eternal dreaming.}}

** In a bit of a twist, when he says the words "This is ''our'' story" is the point in the story where he's managed to wrestle the spotlight back from Yuna.

* The narrator of [[Narcissu]], who is not even given a name in-game, largely serves as a chauffeur and plot-catalyst for the real focus of the story, Setsumi. {{spoiler|Justified by reason #1 above.}} Setsumi herself fits this role to some degree vis-a-vis Himeko in the prequel, but she does at least get quite a bit of character development.

** He's a bit less of this in the manga.

** Then Yggdra gets kidnapped. [[Ascended Extra|Who will be the one]] [[Knight in Shining Armor|that lead the team to rescue her?]] That's probably the only time the player's playing Milanor as a full time hero.

* ''[[Ar Tonelico 2]]'s'' main characters are Luca and Cloche. The player, Croix Bartel, is a supporting character who acts as their mental therapist and love interest.

== Western Animation ==

 

* The Narrator (a pudgy snowman) in the famous Rankin/Bass animated adaptation of ''Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer''. Apparently, his only ''raison d'etre'' besides telling the audience the story is to sing and perform on the guitar songs that are only tangentially related to the plot. The story's ''real'' protagonist, of course, is Rudolph - but since we are viewing ''everything'' through the Narrator's perspective, Herbie the Elf and the Misfit Toys also are depicted as well-rounded characters, and arguably alternate protagonists themselves.

 

{{reflist}}