* Limited Perspective: Both playwrights and narrators choose a perspective to tell their story. A play might be told from the perspective of a single character, revealing their thoughts and feelings while other characters remain more mysterious. Similarly, a narrator in a story can be omniscient, knowing everything, or limited to a specific character's viewpoint.
* Information Control: The playwright or narrator controls what information the audience or reader receives. They can choose to withhold crucial details, reveal information gradually, or present events from a specific angle. This influences how the audience understands the characters and the plot.
* Interpretation: Both playwrights and narrators shape the audience's interpretation of events. The way a character speaks, their actions, and the narrator's commentary can all influence how the audience perceives the story.
Key Differences:
* Direct Address: Plays often utilize direct address where characters speak directly to the audience. This is unlike a narrator who usually speaks to the reader indirectly.
* Visual Medium: A play is a visual medium. The audience experiences the story through the actors' performances, set design, lighting, and costumes. A short story relies solely on words and the reader's imagination.
* Multiple Perspectives: Plays can explore multiple perspectives through dialogue and different characters' actions, while a narrator typically presents a single perspective.
In conclusion, while the play and the short story utilize different mediums, the point of view and information control function similarly, shaping the audience's or reader's understanding of the story and its characters.