Point of View

The poem begins in the third person. After the Mariner starts telling his story, it is in first person. In the Wedding Guest sections and wedding sections, it reverts back to third person. At the end, the narrative is in third person. Since it is a story within a story, the Mariner's first person perspective does not take over until he begins his tale. When the Mariner recalls the voyage, he says "we" meaning the crew and himself. Since the Mariner is on his own throughout most of the voyage, he mostly uses "I." The reader sees the thoughts of the Mariner but not the thoughts of the other characters. The other characters' feelings are displayed in their dialogue and reactions.

When the poem starts off in the third person, the reader gets to see the needs of the Mariner and the Guest. It is obvious...