The lyrical subject is the speaker in a lyrical work, expressing their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. The narrator is the one who tells the story in an epic work, that is, recounts the events and introduces the characters. Both terms denote a "voice" in a text, and neither should be equated with the author. We'll explain how to distinguish between them, their variations, and what constitutes a literary subject.
To sum it up
- Lyrical plot appears in lyrics (poems) and expresses experiences; narrator appears in epics and narrates events.
- In the lyrics of the song the pronoun "I" is not always used« — the pronoun «we» may be used, or it may remain hidden.
- The narrator may be first person (participant or witness) or from the third person (the story is told from the perspective of an outside observer).
- Both works are fictional constructions , and not the works of the author himself; they are united by the concept of the literary subject.
The lyrical subject and the narrator are the most important difference.
The difference is due to literary genre . In lyric poetry, internal states—emotions, reflections, impressions—are of primary importance and organize the text. This is why the "speaker" in a poem is called the lyric subject. In epic poetry, the plot is of primary importance, and someone must tell it: a narrator.
To put it simply: the lyrical character experiences an event, the narrator describes it . A narrator can also comment and evaluate, and a lyrical character can recall an event, but their primary functions are different. The type of work (lyric poem or novel, short story, or short story) usually immediately suggests which concept to use.
What is the lyrical theme?
The lyrical subject (also called the lyrical self) is fictional lyrical hero of a lyrical work , expressing their experiences, feelings, and views. It exists only in the text—even when the poet draws on their own biography, the subject remains an artistic construct. In Jan Kochanowski's "Lamentations," the lyrical hero is a father mourning his daughter, and although he is very close to the author, the analysis still focuses on the lyrical subject.
The lyrical theme can manifest itself in different ways, which determines type of lyricism :
- Lyric poetry of direct (personal) action – the subject speaks directly about himself, in the first person («I»);
- Indirect lyric poetry – the subject does not speak about himself; he describes the world (descriptive lyric poetry) or an event (situational lyric poetry), and we feel his presence through his assessments and mood;
- Lyricism of address to the addressee – the subject addresses someone («you», «you»);
- lyrical role (mask) – the subject takes the point of view of a specific character, for example, the biblical heroine in the poem «Lot’s Wife» by Wisława Szymborska;
- Collective lyric poetry – the subject speaks on behalf of the group («we»), as in the poem «Company» by Maria Konopnitskaya.
What is a storyteller?
The narrator is a fictional character who narrates a story in an epic work — a novel, short story, epic, or fairy tale. He or she recounts events, introduces characters, describes the setting and time of the action, and sometimes comments on the events. The main types of narrative are:
- First-person narrative – the narrator says «I» and is a participant or witness of the events, for example, the pilot in «The Little Prince» by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry or the neighbor-observer in «The Vest» by Bolesław Prus;
- Third-person narration – the narrator is outside the presented world and speaks of the characters as «he» or «she», for example, in Henryk Sienkiewicz’s «Krzyżaki»; he often omniscient , that is, he knows the thoughts and feelings of the characters.
Narrative styles can be combined. In Prus's novel "The Doll," much of the narrative is told in the third person, but chapters of "The Diary of an Old Salesman" are told in the first person by Ignacy Rzhetsky.
Comparison Chart: Lyrical Subject vs. Narrator
| Characteristic | Lyrical theme | Narrator |
|---|---|---|
| Literary genre | Song lyrics | Epic poetry |
| Main function | Expresses experiences, feelings, thoughts. | It tells about events and represents the world. |
| Grammatical form | «"I", "we" or hidden (indirect) text | 1st person ("I") or 3rd person ("he", "she") |
| Varieties | Direct and indirect lyric poetry, address to the addressee, role, collective | First person, third person, omniscient narrator |
| Attitude towards the author | It's not about the author, but about the structure of the text. | It's not about the author, but about the structure of the text. |
| Examples from the materials read | «"Cry", "Lot's Wife", "Company"» | «The Little Prince, The Vest, The Teutonic Knights» |
What is a literary subject?
Literary subject — is a supraordinal concept: it denotes "the one who speaks" in a literary work, regardless of genre. Literary theory emphasizes that the lyric subject in a poem plays a role analogous to that of a narrator in prose—they are the speaker within the text. In Polish language lessons, it's usually enough to remember: in lyric poetry, the lyric subject speaks, while in epic poetry, it's the narrator.
В dramaturgy Usually, neither the lyrical hero nor the narrator is indicated. The characters speak for themselves in dialogues and monologues, and the author's voice is heard in stage directions.
How to recognize the lyrical theme and narrator when analyzing a text?
- Determine the genre of the work. A lyric poem is a lyrical theme; a novel, a story, a fairy tale is a narrator.
- Beware of epic poems. «"Pan Tadeusz" is written in verse, but it tells a story, so we talk about a narrator (although, for example, in "The Call" a personal, lyrical voice appears).
- Talk about the poem: Who is the lyrical hero, who is he addressing, what feelings does he express?
- In a prose narrative, ask yourself: Is the narrator participating in the events or observing from the sidelines? How well do they know the characters?
- Don't write "the author says.". Instead of «Kokhanovsky grieves,» it’s better to write «the lyrical hero mourns the loss of his daughter.».
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a lyrical character and a narrator?
In a lyric work, the lyrical character speaks and expresses their experiences. In an epic work, the narrator appears and tells the story. Neither is identified with the author.
Does the lyrical hero always speak in the first person?
No. In direct lyric poetry he says "I," but in collective lyric poetry he says "we," in lyric poetry addressed to an addressee he addresses "you," and in indirect lyric poetry he may not speak about himself at all.
Is the lyrical hero the author of the poem?
No. Even if the poet is describing their own experience, the poem's lyrical hero is an artistic construct. Therefore, in an essay, we write about the lyrical plot, not the author.
What is a literary work?
This is a general term for the speaker in a literary work. It includes both the lyric character in lyric poetry and the narrator in epic poetry.
Who speaks in "Pan Tadeusz" - the narrator or the lyrical character?
«"Pan Tadeusz" is an epic, so the story is told from the narrator's perspective, even though it's written in verse. In some passages, such as "The Call," the narrator speaks in a very personal way, but it's still an epic.
See also
- What is the difference between prose and poetry?
- What is the difference between a novella and a short story?
- What is the difference between plot and action?
- What is the difference between a legend and a fairy tale?