The Use of Second Person

            There are a number of times throughout “The Waves” where the characters switch from the first-person “I” and “We” to the second-person “you”. Throughout the beginning of the novel, “you” is used to refer to other characters (for instance, Rhoda saying, “What you did, I did, (p. 149)” in reference to imitating the other characters). On page 176, Bernard uses “you” in a different way. On this page, he begins using “you” to directly refer to an unknown speaker (presumably the reader). This use of “you” directly draws the reader into the story, connecting them to Bernard as he speaks. What is most interesting about this is that while Bernard addresses the reader, he also assigns the reader a role; he claims to have met this unnamed and nondescript person on a train only briefly. Yet the form of address he uses directly draws the reader in. It helps to immerse the reader, in a unique way.

            Later on in the chapter, Bernard dismisses the reader/nondescript character yet keeps talking about his story. The dismissal was a tad jarring after his long life story, but it is an interesting technique the author chooses to use.