Point of View

The novel is told from a third-person omniscient point of view. The narrator is able to reveal the actions and thoughts of all the characters involved. This style of narration makes the reader aware of more events then the characters in the novel, since we are privy to more information then they are. For example, Jack St. Bride is the main character, and most of the narration involves events that affect him. During his rape trial, different characters learn about certain pieces of evidence at difference times. The reader also learns facts that the characters never learn, including the true nature of Gillian Duncan's relationship with her father, Amos. Overall, the narration is objective and does not make judgment calls about the characters, instead remaining distant and only documenting the character's thoughts and actions.

Setting

The setting of the novel is primarily a town called Salem...