Narrator and point of view

The short story “The Wall-Reader” by Fiona Barr is told from the point of view of a third-person narrator who has access to the main character’s thoughts and feelings.

For most of the short story, the narrator follows Mary’s perspective. The reader has access to what is going on in her mind, and can understand her motivations. For example, after the word “TOUT” is written on the wall of her house, Mary takes the baby in her arms, and thinks about how this will affect her. The narrator describes Mary’s memories from when she first became a mother:

When her daughter was born, she had been overwhelmed by love for her and amazed at her ability to give life. By nature she was a dreamy person, given to moments of fancy. She wondered at her competence in fulfilling the role of mother. Could it be measured?

These insights into Mary’s personality help the reader understand her better. Another such instance is when the narrator describes Mary’s constant dissatisfaction with her current life and her dreams of having someone write something about her on the walls of a building:

She had convinced herself she was happy with her lot, and yet felt disappointed at the pangs of jealousy endured on heari...