Point of View

Laurie Halse Anderson tells her novel Catalyst from the point of view of her protagonist and narrator, Kate Malone. This is done because the novel is primarily centered on the theme of personal growth. Telling the story through the eyes of Kate Malone, the principle proponent of such personal growth, is demonstrably effective because it allows the reader to follow her growth as a person. This is especially telling in her thoughts and her judgments in various situations, all of which change over time. For example, at the beginning of the novel, Kate is wholly focused on getting into college, implying that she is somewhat self-centered. By the end of the novel, Kate no longer cares about college, but genuinely seeks to help Teri rebuild her house.

Setting

The setting of the novel Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson is that of Syracuse, New York. It works...