Point of View

The novel’s narration is written in the past tense and the first person from Ada’s perspective. Ada is the protagonist and point-of-view character. However, while the reader might often be sympathetic or empathetic to Ada, she also exhibits various faults and flaws. For example, in the conflicts and arguments between Ada and Father, the novel does not necessarily portray one of them as being fully wrong or fully correct. Both characters are operating from understandable positions, but both characters also make recognizable mistakes. For example, it is understandable how Ada’s love for Samson might overpower her other faculties of reason, but many of her actions are still inexcusable. Similarly, Father’s caution regarding the villagers is understandable, but his methods of peacekeeping seem to backfire in various ways.

There is also a thematically significant perspectival tension between Ada/Father and the villagers...