The reader receives a multifaceted, more detailed understanding of the relationships among the characters due to Marie Lu’s use of the third person narration, ultimately enabling her focus on both perspectives, thoughts, and experiences of the characters. It is very apparent that the both sides are extremely valuable to Lu's purpose in “Legend: The Graphic Novel“ and "A Legend Novel Prodigy" from her Legend series which is fueled by her use of the third person narration.
The purpose of the writing style in Marie Lu’s works is often to show multiple perspectives of main characters. In “Legend: The Graphic Novel“, Lu presents the perspective of two characters: Daniel Wing and June Iparis. Writing things such as: June Iparis: "The Republic is a beacon of justice and progress for all." and Daniel Wing: "The Republic is a corrupt regime that oppresses its citizens." By writing this in the third person perspective, the reader understands not only Junes perspective but Daniels as well. The reader additionally gains the knowledge the alternative perspective brings which helps enhance the reader's knowledge about the characters about not only how they see themselves but how others see them.
Marie Lu also applies this same writing style in the continuation of Legend,"Prodigy" to establish the value of the relationship between the main characters. In this novel, June Iparis is on the run with Day, a revolutionary who she has fallen in love with. As a continuation from the book “Legend” when June and a political group called the Patriots saved Day from being executed by the Republic. In the beginning of the book we see two perspectives, that of Day and that of June. While June is worrying about what is bothering Day at the beginning of the novel, saying quote “He still wakes up gasping with tears, his eyes hunting frantically for all the things he’s lost. But at least he does this silently. Sometimes, when Day is quiet like this, I wonder how well he’s hanging on to his sanity. The thought scares me.” (pg: 2) With Lu’s third person perspective we get to see what is truly going on with day instead of just assuming. The third person perspective also helps bring the characters' perspectives/beliefs into mind. In the beginning of the book “Prodigy” while June is thinking more strategically trying to figure out how they will pay the Patriots because they wont help without it; saying quote, “The patriots won’t help us without some sort of payment,”(Pg: 5) While Day is worrying about Tess (a close friend of his) and her safety; saying quote,”I’m not just going to leave Tess behindwithout knowing she’s okay.” (Pg: 4)This allows the readers to develop a stronger multifaceted perspective on the characters.
In “Legend: The Graphic Novel“ and "A Legend Novel Prodigy", Marie Lu uses the third person perspective to reveal the overall thoughts and experiences of a small group of characters rather than one overpowering perspective.