comment on style / language

The first point to note about the use of language in the novel is related to the above referenced elements of point of view – specifically, the fact that the two first person narrators are both scientists. As such, the language they use to tell their stories is full of scientific terminologies, or jargon, which gives the novel a sense of correctness, and of accurate atmosphere. The narrators' language is also used to pursue the overall intentions of the narrating characters. That intention, common to both characters, is to simultaneously emphasize the scientific achievements of Dr. Norton Perina and downplay other, more unpleasant aspects of his personal life – specifically, his latent (and eventually quite overt) pedophilia.