What is focalization?

In creative writing, focalization refers to the point of view or narrative perspective through which the story is filtered. This perspective determines what the reader can see, hear, understand, and experience in the story. A novel may have multiple focalizers, as each character perceives the world differently and may have different motivations, biases, and knowledge.

The most common types of focalization are:

• Internal Focalization: This occurs when the story is filtered through the consciousness of a single character, who is also the protagonist. The reader sees the world through their eyes, hears their thoughts, and feels their emotions. This technique creates a deep immersion into the character's psyche and can lead to greater empathy and identification.
• External Focalization: This occurs when the story is filtered through the perceptions of an external narrator, who is not a character in the story. The narrator can provide objective information, describe external events, and offer comments and insights. This technique creates a distance between the reader and the characters and can lead to critical analysis and social commentary.
• Zero Focalization: This occurs when the story is not filtered through any particular point of view, but rather presents the events objectively, as if witnessed by a camera. This technique can create a sense of realism and impartiality, but can also lead to a lack of emotional engagement and symbolic resonance.

The choice of focalization depends on the author's goals, themes, and audience. By manipulating the focalizer, the author can control the reader's access to information, create suspense and surprise, and shape the meaning and impact of the story. Good writers are aware of the power of focalization and use it skillfully and strategically.