Narrator and point of view

The events described in the short story “Sleeping” by Katharine Weber are told by a third-person narrator. The narrator is outside the story and functions as an observer. 

Throughout the narrative, the narrator adopts Harriet’s perspective. For example, the narrator has insight into Harriet’s thoughts and knows things about her past: “Harriet had never held a baby, except for one brief moment, when she was about six, when Mrs. Antler next door had surprisingly bestowed on her the tight little bundle that was their new baby, Andrea” (ll. 9-12). 

Moreover, the narrator knows that Harriet is intrigued by the mystery surrounding Charles and his room: “She wondered what Charles looked like. She wasn’t even sure how old he was. Why had she agreed to baby-sit when Mr. Winter approached her at the swimming club?” (ll. 22-24).

The na...