Point of View

The point of view in Red Dragon is omniscient third person. The narrator moves from Will Graham to Francis Dolarhyde at regular intervals and makes stops in the minds of Freddie Lounds and Jack Crawford, as well as a few minor characters. Despite this jumping narration, the changes are well marked. The change from one mind to another is often transitioned by one chapter moving into another. This type of transition prevents the possibility of confusion for the reader.

By using this type of narration, the writer is able to show what is going on in the physical and mental worlds of not only the good guys but the bad guy, as well. The reader in turn is then able to understand the motivations of all the main characters and this builds suspense. There is also a margin of sympathy built in the case of the...