What is the narrator of a poem called?

Analyze the question The question asks for the correct term used for the person who "tells" or voices a poem. This is a basic literary terms question.

Explain the concept In poetry, we must separate the poet (the real person who wrote the poem) from the persona, or speaker (the voice or character that speaks within the poem). The speaker may share the poet's views, but is not always the poet. For example, a poet can write a poem from the point of view of a child, a soldier, or an animal.

The word narrator is mostly used for prose and drama, such as novels and short stories, where someone narrates events. In poetry, the standard term is speaker (also called the persona or the poetic voice).

Solution, step by step

1. A. author: This is the real writer of the poem, not the voice inside it. ❌
2. B. speaker: This is the standard term for the voice that delivers the poem. ✅
3. C. narrator: This is mainly used in prose fiction, and the question is asking for the poetry-specific term. ❌
4. D. Voice: This is related, as in "poetic voice", but "speaker" is the more precise and widely accepted term. ❌

Answer: B. speaker

Exam tip Remember: Prose has a narrator; poetry has a speaker (persona); drama has characters. When you see a poetry question about "who is talking," think speaker or persona, and don't assume it is always the poet.