The story is told in the first person narrative perspective, which means that the reader has access to the narrator's thoughts and feelings, as well as the activities in the plot line. This literary technique allows the reader to fully grasp the progress of Suno's metamorphosis from a harried student to an observer of human nature much better than if the transition were only revealed through dialogue. This would take longer to achieve.

The setting for the story is India in the mid 1970's, although the city is never defined. The burden for academic achievement on young men in this country is intense. It involves the entire family, a source of aggravation early on in Suno's story. Culturally, the men provide for families and sometimes extended families. Therefore, the need for a good job is extremely important for financial reasons, as well as family honor...