Point of View

The use of point of view in Jon Fosse’s Septology is one of its most distinctive narrative techniques, contributing profoundly to the novel’s exploration of identity, memory, and time. Written in a fluid, third-person limited perspective that closely follows the inner thoughts and experiences of Asle, the novel blurs the boundaries between past and present, sober and drunk Asle, and reality and memory. This shifting, almost stream-of-consciousness narrative style reflects the fragmented and multifaceted nature of human consciousness, drawing readers deeply into the protagonist’s interior world.

Fosse’s choice of a third-person limited point of view, rather than a traditional first-person narrative, allows for a more expansive exploration of Asle’s identity. While the narrative remains intimately tied to Asle’s experiences, the slight distance provided by the third person creates space for ambiguity and duality. This is particularly important given the...