Point of View

The novel is written in the first person point of view following Anna. This makes the narration very personal, while hiding significant discoveries - such as Tom’s potential for Huntington’s disease - from both the reader and Anna. Her narration is very honest, and she does not shy away from more difficult things about herself, such as her distrust of men after she has seen so many affairs, her belief that Tom can never love her because of her age, and her shame when she realizes she has not given people like Morrie the support they needed. This makes her a relatable narrator as the story is focused on her reactions to the events around her that the reader understands. She is also a reliable narrator because she is always honest with herself.

Occasionally, the novel includes letters from other characters to Anna...