How do you identify the narrator in a novel.

[laurared]

If the author does not state who the narrator in a story is, and it is not one of the characters in the story, whom are we to assume is the narrator?

[Smiffy]

If none of the characters in the story is the narrator then this is described as having an omnipotent narrator. That is a narrator who is not part of the action and who knows everything that is happening and can describe what is going on in different locations and in people's minds.

[flashpig]

Are we to assume that your teacher came up with this question?

[jno]

perhaps omniscient (all-knowing) narrator rather than omnipotent (all-powerful); this is still the most common narrative device in novels.

[Kingaroo]

If it is NOT an omniscient narrator, then the author has to give you a clue.  For example....

She looked at me angrily and said, "Flashpig, I came up with that question myself!"

Then you know that Flashpig is the narrator of the story.