What is the term for the voice used by an author to narrate a story or poem?

The term for the voice used by an author to narrate a story or poem is "speaker." In literature, the speaker is the persona or voice that conveys the poem's message or narrative, distinct from the author themselves. In poetry, the speaker can represent an emotion, an idea, or a specific point of view. This term captures the subjective nature of the voice within the text, allowing readers to interpret the work through that particular lens.

In contrast, the term "narrator" typically refers to a similar concept in prose rather than poetry, creating some confusion. While a narrator and a speaker perform parallel functions—both present a story—they are used in different contexts. The protagonist refers to the main character in a story, which doesn’t necessarily relate to the act of narration. Similarly, the term "character" includes all figures in a narrative, but may not always convey the specific voice that narrates or speaks throughout a poem or story. Thus, "speaker" is the most accurate term to describe the voice in poetry.