Speaker:
* Refers to the voice that is delivering the words in a particular piece of writing or speech.
* Can be a character within the story or a persona created by the author.
* Doesn't necessarily have to be the author.
* Doesn't have to be all-knowing.
Narrator:
* Refers to the voice that is telling the story.
* Often, but not always, the same as the speaker.
* Can be a character within the story or an outside entity.
* Can have different perspectives and levels of knowledge.
Here's an example to clarify:
Imagine a novel written in first person. The speaker would be the "I" who is telling the story, and the narrator would also be that same "I" character.
Here are some situations where the terms are different:
* Third-person narration: The narrator might be an outside observer, while the speaker could be a character within the story, directly addressing the reader.
* Multiple speakers: A poem might have different speakers, each with their own voice and perspective.
* Narrator as a persona: An author might create a narrator that is a fictional character, separate from the author themselves.
In summary:
* Speaker is the immediate voice delivering the words.
* Narrator is the overall voice telling the story, which might encompass multiple speakers.
While the terms are often used interchangeably, understanding the difference can help you better analyze and understand the role of voice in a piece of writing.