Point of View

The first point to note about this book is that it is a play, which means that there is no single narrative point of view in the same way as there would be in a piece of prose (either fiction or non-fiction) or poetry. There is a central character, or protagonist: Erik, the father. The play begins with him and ends with him, and it is his actions and reactions that manifest many of the play’s plot and thematic elements. But the story is not told entirely, or solely, from his perspectives: those of the other characters also play key roles in the development of the story and its themes.

In terms of the play’s thematic point of view, the play’s plot and relationships are essentially defined by a single emotional experience: fear, and the reactions of the characters to the fears...