Author vs. Narrator: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 6, 2023
An author is the creator and original writer of a literary work. The narrator is the voice or character that tells the story within that work.
Key Differences
The terms author and narrator, while both associated with literature, serve distinct roles in the realm of storytelling. An author is the individual responsible for composing and creating the original content of a literary piece. This individual brings to life the plot, characters, setting, and themes, using their unique perspective and style. Authors exist outside the story they pen, crafting narratives based on inspiration, experiences, or pure imagination.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Contrastingly, the narrator is the voice or entity within the story that relates events to the reader. Narrators might be characters in the story, offering a firsthand account, or they could be external entities providing a third-person perspective. The relationship between the author and narrator is intricate. While the author creates the narrator, the narrator's voice, opinions, and perceptions aren't necessarily those of the author.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
For instance, in fiction, authors often develop narrators that possess beliefs or views vastly different from their own. These narrators provide depth and diversity to the narrative. Hence, while the author is the mastermind behind a work's existence, the narrator is the lens through which readers experience the tale.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Furthermore, it's worth noting that while every literary work has an author, not all need a clear, defined narrator. Some stories are written in such a way that events seem to unfold on their own without a distinct voice guiding the narrative. In such cases, the boundary between author and narrator might appear blurred, but the distinction remains: the author is the creator, and the narrator, if present, is the storyteller.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Comparison Chart
Definition
The creator and writer of a literary work
The voice or character that conveys the story
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Voice
Personal, real-world perspective
Can be first-person, third-person, omniscient, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Consistency
One per work (generally)
Multiple narrators possible in a single work
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Personal Beliefs
Not always reflected in the work
Can possess distinct beliefs and perspectives
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
Author and Narrator Definitions
Author
A person who commits or carries out a specific act.
The author of that crime was never found.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Narrator
An individual who describes events in a documentary or show.
The narrator of the documentary had a deep, resonant voice.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
Author
The writer of a particular work, article, or report.
The author of the article remains anonymous.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Narrator
The teller of events in a story, distinct from the author.
The unreliable narrator made readers question the truth.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Author
A person who originates or gives existence to something.
She is the author of her own destiny.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Narrator
A character or entity that recounts events in a literary work.
The narrator in The Catcher in the Rye is Holden Caulfield.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Narrator
Someone who provides commentary or elucidation.
The play had a narrator who explained historical context.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
Narrator
The voice that communicates directly with readers or listeners.
The story's narrator provided insightful commentary.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Author
One who writes or constructs an electronic document or system, such as a website.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 26, 2022
Narrator
A person who narrates, such as one who provides off-screen commentary in a documentary.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 26, 2022
Narrator
A character in literature, especially a novel or short story, who relates the plot and sometimes plays a role in the story.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 26, 2022
Narrator
A character in a fictional movie, play, or similar production who comments on what is happening, often through voice-over.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 26, 2022
Author
To write or construct (an electronic document or system)
Authored the company's website.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 26, 2022
Narrator
(narratology) The person or the "voice" whose viewpoint is used in telling a story.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 26, 2022
Author
The originator or creator of a work, especially of a literary composition.
The copyright of any original writing belongs initially and properly to its author.
Have you read any Corinthian authors?
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 26, 2022
Narrator
One who narrates; one who relates a series of events or transactions.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 26, 2022
Author
The beginner, former, or first mover of anything; hence, the efficient cause of a thing; a creator; an originator.
Eternal King; thee, Author of all being.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 26, 2022
Author
One who composes or writes a book; a composer, as distinguished from an editor, translator, or compiler.
The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 26, 2022
Author
Writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 26, 2022
Author
Someone who originates or causes or initiates something;
He was the generator of several complaints
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 26, 2022
Author
The individual who writes and creates a literary piece.
The author of that novel won multiple awards.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Author
The initiator or cause of a situation or event.
He was the author of his own downfall.
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
FAQs
Does every story have a narrator?
Most do, but some narratives might not have a distinct voice.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Can an author's voice be present in a story?
Authors might leave subtle traces, but they're distinct from the narrator's voice.
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
Are authors real while narrators are fictional?
Authors are real individuals, while narrators are typically fictional constructs.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
Why might an author choose a specific narrator?
To offer a unique perspective, evoke emotions, or serve the story's theme.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
What's an "unreliable narrator"?
A narrator whose credibility is compromised.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Are the narrator's opinions always those of the author?
No, narrators can possess differing or even opposing views.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Who decides the narrator's perspective?
The author chooses or creates the narrator's point of view.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
What's the primary distinction between an author and a narrator?
An author creates the literary work, while a narrator tells the story within it.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Can a book have multiple narrators?
Yes, some stories switch between different narrators.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
Is the narrator always a character in the story?
No, narrators can also be external, omniscient entities.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Can there be a story without an author?
Every story has a creator, making the author integral.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Do poems have narrators?
Many poems have a speaker, which can be seen as a form of narrator.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Can a narrator's identity be a twist in a story?
Yes, some stories reveal the narrator's identity as a plot twist.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Why is the distinction between author and narrator important?
It aids in understanding narrative structure, perspective, and literary analysis.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
Do narrators know everything?
Some, called "omniscient narrators," know all, while others might be limited.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
How does one identify the narrator in a story?
By discerning whose voice or perspective guides the narrative.
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
Are memoirs written by narrators?
Memoirs blur the lines, as the author is often the narrator recounting personal experiences.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Who has control over the story, the author or the narrator?
The author controls the overall story, including the narrator's role.
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
