What is the narrator point of view in the novel, Will Grayson, Will Grayson?

Green and Levithan write Will Grayson, Will Grayson in the alternating first person point of view of the two Will Graysons. The combination of these two points of view allows the reader to get a sense of the plot through the lenses of two people who have entirely different lives and become involved in different ways. Then, when their lives intersect, the reader has already formed a background knowledge regarding both Will and Grayson. Even though their lives are pretty different, when they meet, the course of their lives and their relationships with the people within them begin to change.

Will Grayson’s (Narrator 1) perspective is traditional in format and reads like a narrative, recounting the events in Will’s life and his thoughts and insecurities about them. Will is very open and honest in his narration. For instance, in Chapter 1, he states, “you cannot possibly pick your friends, or else I never would have ended up with Tiny Cooper” (3). Will is unhindered in expressing his opinion that he would not willingly choose to be Tiny’s friend. Out of context, this is a rather cruel remark to make about your best friend. However, after becoming accustomed to Will’s narration, it is clear that he is purposeful in keeping a distance from the people about whom he actually cares.

Will Grayson’s (Narrator 2) perspective is unconventional in that he writes all in lowercase letters and often very short paragraphs. As the novel progresses, though, he reverts closer to a more traditional-sounding narrative. This initial perspective is especially clear in Chapter 2, when Grayson narrates, “i am constantly torn between killing myself and killing everyone around me” (22). This is an incredibly dark and violent observation to make. Grayson typically makes these sort of remarks. The authors suggest the extent of Grayson’s intense and depressed mental state through his narration.

Later, in the novel, after the two Will Graysons’ lives have become more intertwined, their narrations both become more open in a kinder way. In Chapter 18, Will and Grayson instant message each other in a manner that demonstrates how their perspectives have shifted as a result of their experiences throughout the novel. Grayson says, “what’s the secret to your wisdom, will grayson?” to which Will replies, “i think it’s that i hang out with the right people, will grayson” (269). They both appreciate Tiny and the other significant people in their lives more, first through realizations in their narrations and then through their actions and dialogue.