Point of View in "Luck"

"Luck" is a short story by the brilliant American novelist Mark Twain. In this story, readers learn about the life of Scoresby, a military hero, through the depiction of a clergyman who was once an instructor in a military academy. This was actually a story within another story. As a matter of fact, an unnamed narrator retells the story he once heard from the clergyman. This story is told in the first person point of view. In the first person point of view, the narrator participates in the

action of the story, but it is biased and limited view. Therefore, the reader should question the trustworthiness of the account. From the account of the narrator, the reader learns that as a young man in the military academy, Scoresby was not bright. So out of charity, the clergyman cheated to help him pass his examinations. However, the clergyman was certain that a student so stupid could not pass any examination, not even when he is favored. Afterward, on the battlefield, during the Crimean War, Scoresby made quite a few blunders, which ironically earned him honors and acclamations. The use of the first person point of view in this particular story is meant to help the reader understand thoroughly the character of Scoresby and to make the account appealing. This story features the point of view of the clergyman and that of the narrator; however, one can hardly trust their judgements.

All through the story, the clergyman gives his point of view about Scoresby. For instance, in the second paragraph, the clergyman clearly states, "he's an absolute fool." Then he goes on to explain his point of view. By means of quite a few examples, the clergyman, who is "a man of strict veracity and whose judgement of men is good" (paragraph 3), sheds th...

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..., for it is hard to believe someonewho indulges in dishonesty. His point of view is not objective at all. Likewise, the point of the narrator is not believable because it is naive. Scoresby does not say anything to defend himself. Nevertheless, the objective evidence of his many successful accomplishments as a soldier and as a student entices the reader to think that he has a minimum of common sense and intelligence. No one knows what he is thinking when falling forward to his left istead of falling back to his right as ordered. It might have been out of perspicacity and ingenuity that he acted so. This enthralling story teaches the reader not to believe everything people say about a person, but to get to know this person well before voicing any opinion about him or her. It is also a good example that supports the popular saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover."