Answer:

The narrator is a third person, and is not a character himself in the novel. He selectively chooses to narrate from within the PSYCHOLOGICAL consciousnesses of his characters, MOSTLY from the point of view of Isabel Archer. He ALSO from TIME to time tells us what goes on in the mind of some of the other characters, such as Madame Merle and Gilbert Osmond, although we usually do not see their perspectives.

Explanation:

The narrator has an ironic distance in his tone at times, but he also seems to empathize with Isabel Archer's point of view. He objectively points out some of Isabel's flaws, but he also BELIEVES in her essential value as an interesting worthwhile character. The mood of the story changes from setting to setting. Gardencourt is a hopeful place in the beginning, and Florence is full of the riches of life and beauty. However, Gilbert Osmond's home, located near Florence, is repressive and dismal. Rome is initially depicted as a place of action and events: where surprising changes comes about. However, when Isabel and Osmond move there, it becomes a place of mournful superficiality.