Structure

The structure of the book is a traditional, academic, non-fiction, critical reading of the details of the Till case. The author has included end notes and a bibliography, but the non-academic need not consult these to understand the book. Their presence substantiates the claims that Tyson makes, documents the sources he has incorporated, and provides bibliographic material for those interested in consulting additional texts for further reading.

Perspective

The point of view begins as first person singular, with the author’s account of his meeting with Carolyn Bryant. Multiple points of view filter throughout the book however, as participants are quoted as they tell their own stories. A third person point of view dominates the book as the author unifies these various narrative threads, and summarizes the murder of Emmett Till and the conditions and consequences of its occurrence.

Tone

Although an academic, the author writes in...