Double Point of View

Author's Note: I was assigned to write about how the point of view affects the story, and how the story would change if it had been written from another characters point of view.

In Secret Soldier, a historic fiction novel, the story is told from Deborah Sampson's point of view. Deborah explains what life is like putting on britches and entering a world where men dominate. She pretends to be one of them, terrified of being caught. She sees them all as evil masters, creating a world where women are scarcely needed and poorly treated. Further into the story, she befriends a man named Roger. After attempting to bathe with Deborah he figures out her secret. Deborah makes constant efforts to share her story and begs Roger not to report her, but he shies away and refuses to talk to her. Deborah begins to dwell on memories and eventually falls in love with Roger. However, if the story was told from Roger's point of view, the book entirely would not contain the word "love" at all. He sees a demanding stalker with a passion for his trust. Sure, he saw her without britches--or any clothes at all-- but it means nothing to him. Her personal business belongs to her, he should have nothing to do with it. The tale of Deborah Sampson is true, and her accurate views throughout the book prove it. Unfortunately, Roger's opinions were unheard. As interesting of a story they both may have, he died at war without ear caring for his side of the story.