Perspective

The story is written in first person from Elspeth's point of view. The story is very limited and the perspective never changes. Any details not seen from Elspeth's perspective are presented by Elspeth, realting them to the reader as Elspeth learns about them. The limitation makes Elspeth's character something of a mystery. Though she explains her feelings about particular events and her thoughts on some points, she tends to present more of her observations of others. This gives the reader a very limited view of Elspeth's character.

Elspeth tells many of the stories from her child's perspective and sometimes these stories are also limited by both the perspective and the telling. For example, she tells of a sexual encounter between Mrs. Nimmo and Alec Wilson though she does not realize exactly what she is describing. She also tells of a budding love affair between Lettice Palmer and Ian...