Point of View

The story is told in the third person limited omniscient point of view by a narrator who sees what Cardinal Bem sees and tells us what Cardinal Bem is thinking. The story is that of Cardinal Bem and what he sees, says, does, and thinks while on his quest to prevent a riot at Rywald.

Because the story is told only from Cardinal Bem's point of view, it would be easy for the reader to assume that Cardinal Bem is what he says he is in his private thoughts and to ignore Cardinal Bem's actions or the actions or attitudes of which others accuse him.

Cardinal Bem thinks of himself as a simple, pious man in control of his country and in harmony with the wishes of the Pope. As the story progresses however, other character's actions and words, and even his own thoughts, reveal that...