Point of View

The Address uses a limited omniscient third-person narrator that focuses on one of two characters: Sara Smythe, in the twenty-two chapters that take place in the 1880's, or Bailey Camden, in the eleven chapters that take place in the 1980's. While the reader "hears" the thoughts and perspectives of either Sara or Bailey, the thoughts and motivations of the other characters remain unknown, except through their dialogue. This technique creates significant suspense, particularly in Sara's portions of the story, because other characters are quietly scheming against Sara, unbeknownst to her.

For instance, when Sara is initially pregnant, with Christopher, she is the victim of cold-hearted schemes by Daisy Cavanaugh and Mr. Theodore Camden. But, because Sara is not yet aware of the schemes, the reader is not yet aware of them, either. In the scene where Mr. Douglas discovers Mrs. Camden's stolen necklace in Sara's...