Narrator and point of view

The short story “Comrades” by Nadine Gordimer is told by a third-person narrator. The narrator mostly focuses on Hattie’s perspective on the events: “She was silent in response, for the beat of a breath or two. These large gatherings both excited her and left her overexposed, open and vulnerable… (p. 100, ll. 16-17). There are also instances when the narrator switches from what Dumile is saying to what Hattie assumes about him: “he was expelled two years ago for leading a boycott? Throwing stones at the police? Maybe burning down the school?” (p. 100, ll. 43-44)

At times, the narrator adopts the perspective of the boys: “They are stacking their plates and cups, not knowing what they are expected to do with them in this room which is a room where apparently people only eat, do not cook, do not sleep” (p. 100, ll. 31-33). The narrator also ...