Point of View

The novel is told in first person point of view. Phyllisia Cathy is the narrator, and very limited in her scope. Her voice is self-centered as she is a teenage girl who thinks only about herself. Because they are colored by her perceptions, the other characters’ motives are skewed, and they do not get an accurate representation. Phyllisia is very biased; many characters are portrayed in a negative light.

Setting

The story takes place in Harlem, New York City during the ‘ 1960s’ Civil Rights Movement. Harlem is a very dangerous place during this time as many riots are occurring around the neighborhood. 1960s Harlem is a predominately black neighborhood, and many people there feel like they are oppressed and ignored by the government.

Language and Meaning

The language in The Friends is very colloquial. The novel is written for youth, so the language is set...