Narrator and point of view

The short story “Sports Leader” by Jane Rogers is a third-person narration. The narrator is outside the events that are being presented.

The narrator uses a combined point of view. Although most of the narrative follows the boy’s perspective, the narrator also presents the point of view of his employer, Phil: “Privately Phil thought the boy was too thick to half-inch5. But that was good news, because he could be sent out on his own collecting on a Thursday night…” (ll. 39-40)

The boy’s point of view is used several times for the purpose of illustrating how he perceives the world, which makes readers empathise with him: “The boy was surprised not to be going to college. The other kids were all going, he saw them waiting for the Huddersfield bus.” (ll. 7-8); “The boy liked collecting. He liked being on his own, without the window cleaner’s chivvying. He liked pressing the bell, or knocking…” (ll. 47-48)

His foster mother’s opinion is conveyed...