Point of View

The point of view is Third Person, Single Point of View. Events are all seen through the eyes of Harry Angstrom (Rabbit) except for one section of Chapter IV where, Harry not being present, events are seen through Nelson's eyes. Updike handles the third Person point of view with great skill- any observations made are those of Harry, events that take place are described as seen by Harry, even conversations whether or not participated in by Harry, represent the way he hears things. Similarly, in the portion of Chapter IV that tells about the party at Slim's and about Pru's accident, the Point of View shifts effortlessly to be Nelson's.

The third Person, Single Point of View style is particularly appropriate for this novel. The author is not simply telling a story (for which the omniscient narrator would be a good choice). His goal is to...