Barchester Towers; Role of a Narrator

The narrator is a person who tells the story. Narrators can be divided into three categories; First person narrator, Second person narrator and Third person narrator. FIRST PERSON narrator is an "I", who speaks from her/his subject position This narrator is usually a character in the story, who interacts with other characters; we see those interactions through the narrator's eyes, and we can't know anything the narrator doesn't know. SECOND PERSON narrator speaks in "you." a THIRD PERSON narrator is not a figure in the story, but an "observer" who is outside the action being described. A third-person narrator might be omniscient (ie, able to tell what all the characters are thinking), but that is not always the case. Third-person narration may also be focalized through a particular character, meaning that the narrator tells us how that character sees the world, but can't, or at least doesn't, read the mind of all the characters this way.

We find Trollope as a narrator in Barchester Towers adopting various techniques from different type of narrators such as he is the `intrusive' narrator, who is made a part of the world of Barchester. His presence is very much felt as an intrusive when he commented on Dr. Grantly in "Who will be the new Bishop" and raises a personal view point; "our archdeacon was worldly- who among us is not?" He is also an `omniscient' narrator which falls in the sub category of third person narrator like in the chapter "War" he pronounced Grantly's viewpoint about the bishop Proudie "he was a puppet to be played by others; a mere wax doll..." . He is present every where in the novel; commenting, telling and giving description of each and every turning point of the novel.

Trollope disrupts conventional us...

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...ll is well ends well" perception is fulfilled in this novel. Trollope ended with Eleoner getting married with Mr. Araby, Slope left Barchester, Quiverfull as a warden and rest of the Barchester in peaceful and sated state.

Briefly speaking, Trollope's work has his own flavor due to his "intrusive" and "Omniscient" narrative style. He satisfied his readers to much extent. He had provided situations and life like characters mingled with light drama and humor near to life. This is all appeal to the common reader. Though it is deprived of some great suspense or excitement yet, its involving characters and life in Barchester holds the interest of the reader. In short it's the complete parcel for the enjoyment of the common reader at any time as J.K.G says;

"So, dear reader, as Trollope himself says a shade too often. If you have been here before, welcome back."