Point of View

Phaedra Patrick tells her novel Rise and Shine Benedict Stone in the third-person limited-omniscient narrative mode, from the point of view of an unidentified third-person narrator. The narrator focuses exclusively on recounting Benedict’s experiences, thoughts, feelings, emotions, and activities. Readers are given an intimate, objective perspective on Benedict. They see him as a flawed but good man seeking improvement in his present life and redemption for the past.

The limited nature of the third-person perspective allows for a sense of drama and intrigue because readers only become aware of events as Benedict learns about them. The events include the real reason for Gemma’s coming to Noon Sun, whether or not Charlie actually knows where he is, and whether or not Estelle is romantically interested in Lawrence or interested in leaving Benedict. The most dramatic event is the unknown fate of Gemma when she...