Narrator and point of view

The short story “I Spy” by Graham Greene is told from the point of view of a third-person narrator.

The story follows the perspective of the main character, Charlie Stowe, so the narrator is limited. The readers only have access to Charlie’s thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, the narrator provides information about what other characters could be feeling, probably as assumed by Charlie from their tone of voice: For instance: “He spoke gently but without kindness.” (p. 41, l. 44). However, the assumption which follows highlights the inexperience of the observer: “Charlie Stowe thought his father must be ill” (p. 41, ll. 44-45), and that was why the policeman addresses him like this. 

Other assumptions also point to the subjective nature of the perspecti...