Point of View

The point of view in Silent Wing is that of thirdperson omniscient, the all-knowing narrator. The reader is given information concerning the innermost workings of the heart. The reader learns not only of Julian's journey to Guatemala but of his first stirring impressions of Guatemala City. The use of present tense "calls, sees, talks," invites intimacy. It is as if the reader is listening to a close friend relating the story. When Julian approaches Guatemala City, he sees strange objects breaking out of the oppressive heat of the jungle and encounters what seems to be a vision: "The valley is shrouded by a thick, pale gray mist that hovers over it, moving very languidly. . .piercing through that mist there appear to be dozens of tall, white, pointing spires, almost obelisks. Julian shakes his head." Traveling nearer, he sees more of the city "lying on a high...