Point of View

The point of view shifts between most of the major characters in the story. However, the prevailing point of view is that of Eva Logan Acton, whose journey of self identity and worth are chronicled. Told in third person limited, regardless of the character involved, the reader is given access to the character's thoughts, while also offering insight into the circumstances surrounding them.

Quite often details in the story are offered via letters or telegrams, photos, or newspapers. These letters tend to offer more information about a situation that the reader has been given in the character's limited point of view. For example, when Reenie is badly burned in the fire, and Iris is as well, the reader only knows what Eva knows, which is that there was a kitchen fire and Reenie and Iris were both injured. However, through Iris's letter, from many years...