Point of View

The point of view is that of an all-seeing observer, who at times is close to the action, and at times is quite distant. The narrator, or observer, makes clear that his intention is to look at the life of a lyrical poet, Jaromil. Jaromil, in turn is compared to some of the well-known young poets of the past, such as Rimbaud in France and Lermontov. Towards the end of the book, the narrator makes clear that the book is told from a point in time after the death of Jaromil. Therefore, Jaromil's childhood is gone over quite quickly, while his relationship with the redheaded girl is followed in-depth until the relationship reaches its disastrous conclusion.

It is clear from the description of the unjust imprisonment of people such as the redheaded girl and her brother Jan, that the author highlights the injustices of the Communist...