Point of View

Ursula K. Le Guin's novel "A Wizard of Earthsea" is written in the third-person limited omniscient narrative. This allows the narrator to relate the story to the reader, divulging certain information to the reader only as appropriate. For example, the reader never knows exactly when the shadow will appear or manifest itself, such as in the case of Skiorah; however, the reader is made fully aware of all of Ged's thoughts, ideas, and plans -even the ones that do not work out. The limited-omniscient allows the narrator to build suspense in the plot, but also allows the reader a wealth of information about Earthsea and its environs. This is especially important due to the fantastical setting of the novel, and allows the reader to be fully enmeshed in the world rather than an unknowing observer.

Language and Meaning

Ursula K. Le Guin employs simple and...