Point of View

Kokoro is written in the first person point of view. This is a subjective point of view only giving the reader opportunity to gain insight to the narrator of the story. The first person point of view is fitting for Kokoro, as Soseki is recounting events in his life and therefore cannot speak for anyone else but himself. Soseki tells the story of how he came to meet and befriend Sensei, a man he believes can teach him about life. In Part III, the perspective of the story changes from Soseki to Sensei as, through his letter, Sensei finally tells Soseki the story of his life.

The story is told in a balance of narrative and dialogue. This is an effective method, allowing the reader to follow the narrator's thoughts surrounding the characters' dialogue. The reader also learns that narrator, at the time he is conveying...