Point of View

In Beware of Pity, the author uses a first person perspective from the point of view of Anton Hofmiller, the protagonist of the story. This point of view helps the reader to see the world through the eyes of Anton, and to understand the motives behind his actions. Since the emotion of pity is such a primary focus of the novel, this point of view is necessary, so that readers can fully understand how Hofmiller feels this emotion. In addition, the first person point of view allows an outside view of Edith, the focus of Hofmiller's pity, and of Kekesfalva, the father and another source of Hofmiller's pity. These external views allow the reader to see manipulation as it happens, unlike Hofmiller, whose closeness to the situation only permits him to see things through his own gaze of pity and sorrow.

The first person view also...