What does a third person omniscient narrator know?

A third person omniscient narrator possesses a comprehensive understanding of the characters and situations within a narrative. This type of narrator can relay the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters, providing insights into their motivations and actions, while also offering background information and context about the plot and settings. This all-knowing perspective allows the narrator to present a broader view of the story, making connections and observations that individual characters may not be aware of, thereby enriching the reader's experience and understanding of the narrative.

The other options are limited in scope: knowing only the thoughts of the main character confines the perspective and insight to a singular viewpoint; understanding only background details restricts the narrative depth; and capturing specific dialogue, while important, does not encompass the full awareness and narrative power that an omniscient narrator possesses. This clarity of access to all aspects of the characters and plot is key to the effectiveness of this narrative style.