Point of View

The story is told by a third-person semi-omniscient narrator. Throughout most of the book, the narrator takes the point of view of Doctor Paul Proteus, seeing the world from his perspective as events unfold around him. Paul is in a position of power, and so he is able to show the reader the inner workings of the corporation and of the Ilium Works. However, Paul's discontent gives the reader an opportunity to see into Homestead and understand the social problems caused by mechanization. The reader discovers the Ghost Shirt Society along with Paul and experiences his frustration with the corporation and the mechanized society.

However, when the novel leaves Paul's storyline, it also leaves his point of view. The narrator moves into the mind of other, minor characters to tell their stories. This gives the reader multiple points of view of the society and shows how...