Point of View

"The Doves' Nest" is written from the third person perspective with limited access to Milly's point of view. Throughout the story, the narrator refers to Mrs. Fawcett as "Mother," suggesting that it is Milly's perspective being represented as the plot unfolds. This focus on Milly is significant because it allows readers to see the disparity between how Milly behaves among other characters and how she thinks privately to herself. In the story, Milly rarely speaks, often embarrassed by the attention from Mr. Prodger and frequently drowned out by Mother's own conversation. The narration, however, provides readers with insight into Milly's thoughts and in so doing reveals that Milly is bored of the villa, frustrated with her Mother's inane conversation, and desperately longing to regain her autonomy and travel to new places. By entertaining Milly's perspective, the story reveals the unspoken tensions that exist between Milly...