Hooded Figure: Possessive pronouns

DanielaTorre · Jun 4, 2011

Okay, so I was skimming over my WIP and came across I scene I had written where the MC sneaks out of his house at night to follow a "hooded figure".

Then I realized that I alternated between using "its", "his", and "her". But it is unknown until the hood is removed.

The MC supposes it's some guy who was rumored to have a vendetta against his father, but in reality, the hooded figure is ultimately revealed to be a woman.

So in the interim — between the time that he sees the hooded figure, to the time the figure's gender is revealed — what pronoun/possessive pronoun should I use?

I'm tempted to use "he" and "his" because of the fact the MC thinks it's a specific guy, but I'm not too sure.

Thanks in advance!!!!!

Maryn · Jun 4, 2011

Trust your gut. Really.

If you are in the POV character's head, as you should be, you'd use whatever gender pronoun he believes the figure to be. In this case, that's male.

Maryn, whose larger gut must be super-trustworthy, huh?

Ferret · Jun 4, 2011

I agree with Maryn. If you're writing from the MC's POV, you should use the pronouns he would use, even if this is revealed as wrong later.

Darkshore · Jun 4, 2011

I'd definitely go with he or his. If the main character thinks that then that's the way to go. Besides most people think "male" when hooded figures are involved anyways.

OpheliaRevived · Jun 4, 2011

Yes to what Maryn said, and for all the reasons Ferret stated.

DanielaTorre · Jun 4, 2011

Hmm. Everyone seems to be in accord. He/his is what it's going to be.

Thanks everyone!!!!!!

PinkAmy · Jun 4, 2011

What Maryn says is rarely wrong

.

DanielaTorre · Jun 4, 2011

Maryn seems quite wise!

nathanrudy · Jun 5, 2011

I would use the pronoun from the POV, because that is what they see. If your narrator or POV character is vacillating on the gender, then maybe you can move it around as the POV changes.

But, all in all, it's about what your character thinks and not what the reader or writer thinks.

Fallen · Jun 5, 2011

PinkAmy said:
What Maryn says is rarely wrong .

Ditto

Fallen, who always loves reading Maryn's final thoughts on a post.

Hooded Figure: Possessive pronouns

DanielaTorre

...

Maryn

I Tried

Ferret

Dook!

Darkshore

Stranger

OpheliaRevived

Real Men Have Gills

DanielaTorre

...

PinkAmy

New kid, be gentle!

DanielaTorre

...

nathanrudy

Kendy's Father, Maureen's Husband

Fallen

Stood at the coalface